Confident appearance for Zito

By Tim Casey, Globe Correspondent, 10/2/2003

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Don't look too deep into Barry Zito's new look.

It's purely coincidental that he grew facial hair a few weeks ago, around the same time he began pitching better. Zito, an easygoing 25-year-old, dismissed any notions that his dark brown beard made him more intimidating. Or that it was linked to any superstitions.

"Maybe the ladies will like it," Zito deadpanned.

Perhaps. But other than that crack, the Oakland A's lefthander was not his normal jovial self yesterday afternoon, and for good reason. He's focused on this afternoon, when he starts Game 2 of the American League Division Series with a new sense of confidence. He's finally showing some consistency after an up-and-down season.

Zito has won three of his last four starts, his lone blemish a no-decision Sept. 27 at Seattle in his last outing. He ended the regular season 14-12 with a 3.30 ERA and opponents hit just .219 against him, second best in the league behind Pedro Martinez.

Good numbers, but not quite up to last year's standards. In 2002, Zito won the Cy Young Award, denying Martinez and Derek Lowe, who finished second and third, respectively. Throughout New England, fans debated Martinez and Lowe's cases but Zito's 23-5 record, 2.75 ERA, and his pitching for a playoff team gave him the slight edge.

Most of this year, A's manager Ken Macha said Zito concerned himself too much with defending the Cy Young, an assertion that Zito denies. Both agree that Zito's troubles were mainly because of his lack of control.

Zito walked a career-high 88 batters this season and got behind in the count too often. Several times, he pitched well before a bad stretch ruined his outing.

But his struggles are relative. A few weeks ago, Zito and Macha looked at how hitters fared against Zito in every count. In every category except for 2-0 and 3-1, Zito's batting average against was equal to or better than last year.

Also in early September, during a road trip against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the A's had a team meeting. At the time, the A's were battling the Seattle Mariners for the West Division title.

"We just said, `Look, we're coming down the home stretch, guys, all the stats are pretty much locked in for this year,' " Zito recalled. "Four more weeks isn't going to make a difference. Let's just go out there, win this thing, and get back to where we can be."

Said Macha: "He's turned it around a little bit. I'm looking forward to watching him pitch."

Zito has only faced the Red Sox once this season, allowing six hits and three runs (all earned) Aug. 12 in Oakland and recording his first victory since July 3. He's aware of the Red Sox' lineup, knowing there are no easy outs.

"Over 162 games, it's tough to get up absolutely for every game," said Zito, scheduled to pitch Game 5 Monday in Oakland if necessary. "But here there's one goal and it's winning every game individually. You don't get a lot of second chances in the playoffs. And we know that." He left early last night in order to get some rest for today. He said he would likely listen to the game on the radio. He will arrive at Network Associates Coliseum this morning ready, and unshaved.