Barry M. Bloom/MLB.com: Mota's heroics help Giants down D-backs; Vinnie's very quick thoughts

PHOENIX -- It was Bruce Bochy's 56th birthday Saturday and the bullpen gave him a Giant present: 7 1/3 innings of one-run, three-hit ball and a 5-3 win over the D-backs at Chase Field.

Link: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_04_16_sfnmlb_arimlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=sf

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Barry Zito sporting his new mustache.
Getty Images

I know this is not very timely, but I briefly wanted to mention this.

The Giants won the game yesterday because Barry Zito was taken out of the game -- and because the Giants' bullpen is lights out.

Zito's fastball was maxing out at 83 mph last night, where he is supposed to cruise around 86-88 mph to be successful. He was getting hit hard by the Arizona Diamondbacks prior to the injury, so it could have very well been a 5-2 deficit for the Giants -- or worse.

Zito was placed on the 15-day disabled list today. His numbers for the year prior to today were 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA.

To replace Zito on the roster, the Giants purchased the contract of right-hander Ryan Vogelsong.

Vogelsong did well in spring training and was doing well in AAA Fresno. He was 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his two starts with the Grizzlies.

If Zito does not get healthy or get that fastball velocity back up to the mid-to-high-80s, then Vogelsong is surely an upgrade over Zito. That said, Zito is a great guy and a wonderful person in the clubhouse, so hopefully, the $126 million-dollar man could get back on track.

It would also be nice to hear the "Barry! Barry! Barry!" chants at AT&T Park again.

Or maybe, Zito needs to shave the mustache and grow a beard.







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