Zito settles down, wins first as a Giant

New team. Big contract. High expectations.

It was all wearing on Barry Zito.

He ignored the pressure and just pitched Monday night, giving up three hits in six innings to lead San Francisco over the Colorado Rockies, 8-0, and gain his first victory with the Giants.

“I’ve been trying to have a good game,” Zito said. “You can’t try to do anything. You either do or you don’t. I tried to get too fine with my pitches. I wasn’t aggressive.”

Zito (1-2) attacked Colorado hitters, using not so much his curve as his less famous changeup.

“Great effort by him,” San Francisco Manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s not an easy park to pitch in.”

Zito combined with three relievers on a six-hitter. He struck out four and walked three, improving to 86-4 when his team scores four or more runs. His earned-run average went from 8.18 to 5.29.

Omar Vizquel had four singles, scored twice and drove in two runs. Ray Durham had a three-run homer to right and Bengie Molina followed with a solo shot to left in the Giants’ five-run third inning.