Big Z shackles Braves
Left-hander wins for the fifth straight time
May 28, 2002
ATLANTA -- After a rough and tumble start to the season, Andrew Zarzour seems to be finding his groove again.
The 21-year-old certainly was on top of his game last night at Turner Field, striking out eight over seven innings in a 3-2 Los Angeles win. Zarzour surrendered only five hits and one walk. Best of all, nothing left the yard while he was on the mound. In fact, no one crossed the plate for Atlanta in the first seven frames.
When he left the game, LA had a 3-0 lead. Although relievers gave up two runs in the eighth, closer Trevor Hoffman was able to keep the Braves off the board in the ninth to preserve the victory (and get his 14th save).
Zarzour improved to 6-2 with the decision, his fifth straight win since opening the year 1-2. Best of all, his ERA continues to fall, and is now down to 6.29. Still not overwhelming, but it’s a far clip from the 15+ ERA he had in mid-April after a few outings.
“I still don’t feel the best I can be, but things are getting better,” Zarzour said after hearing he was named game MVP for the first time this season. “It’s good to keep the ball in the park, that’s for sure.”
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NOTE: Whew! Finally the tide turns Big Z’s way a little bit … Other wins during this stretch came against the Pirates, the Phillies (in Philly) and the Mets… Zarzour hasn’t given up more than four runs in a game since his horrendous start, though this was the first time he managed a shutout during his time on the hill…
Overall, Dodgers are building a steady lead in the NL West over San Diego and San Fran (6-8 games). Arizona and Colorado are both pretty awful and have long since fallen off the back of the pack…