Giants' Zito strikes out 5 in a row; Mauer solid for Mariners in a 6-3 win
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Francisco's Barry Zito looked as if he was in regular-season form and Seattle pitcher Brandon Maurer stayed in contention for a rotation spot as the Mariners beat the Giants 6-3 Tuesday.
Zito threw struck out five straight over the first and second innings and gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Zito struck out seven overall.
Maurer, a 22-year-old with no experience above Double-A, held San Francisco to a run on three hits in five innings. He also struck out four without walking a batter.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Maurer is competing with Jon Garland, Jeremy Bonderman, Erasmo Ramirez and Blake Beavan for one of two rotation slots.
Giants first baseman Brandon Belt went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and scored a run.