Giants 4, White Sox 3

3/21/2008 5:24 PM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -Barry Zito turned a rough spring into a promising season in one outing.

The former Cy Young Award winner, in the second year of a $126 million, seven-year contract with San Francisco, did not allow a run in his final appearance in the desert. The Giants beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 on Friday.

``It was a good result but I'm not going to sit here and pat myself on the back for it,'' Zito said after throwing 96 pitches in 5 2-3 innings. ``Tomorrow I'm going to forget about today. I have things to work on in my bullpen to get ready for my next start.''

Zito, who gave up two hits, walked three and struck out four, faces the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Fresno on Wednesday. He would have finished the sixth had it not been for Eugenio Velez's fielding error.

``It's always good to have something to base your confidence on rather than just have it,'' Zito said. ``I took advantage of spring in the first four starts, doing my own thing. The last two I want to go out like I would pitch during the season. Today was more based on getting into the competition.''

The strikeouts were Zito's first of the spring, a stat of which he was aware but was unconcerned.

``I'm trying to get ahead of guys, attack hitters and pitch down in the zone more consistently,'' he said. ``The switch doesn't just go on Opening Day. For us to get good games under our belt and play as a team, it gives us something to go off on.''

White Sox starter Gavin Floyd also looked sharp, allowing a pair of runs and six hits in six innings. He retired nine in a row after giving up Fred Lewis' triple and Velez's single to open the game. He did not walk a batter and struck out four.

``It seems like he's ready for the season,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``He's done everything we've asked him to do. We believe this kid can do a good job this year and in the future.''

Aaron Rowand also drove in a run in the first. That was all the scoring until the White Sox rallied for three in the top of the ninth, all against Giants closer Brian Wilson. Jason Bourgeois tripled in a run, pinch hitter Juan Uribe doubled home another and Alexi Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2.

Steve Holm's hit-and-run double drove home the tying run and pinch hitter Eliezer Alfonzo singled home the winning run as the Giants ended a six-game losing streak.

White Sox third baseman Joe Crede was struck in the knee with the end of a broken bat that flew into Chicago's dugout. He iced his knee and Guillen said he was fine. First baseman Paul Phillips was struck in the nose by the ball on Daniel Ortmeier's infield single in the ninth but stayed in the game.

Lewis and Ortmeier each had two hits for the Giants.

Notes: The Giants optioned LHP Patrick Misch and C Guillermo Rodriguez to Triple-A Fresno before the game. ... Floyd started 17 of the 23 hitters he faced with a strike. ... The White Sox are winless in their last six games. ... Giants 2B Ray Durham missed his second straight game with tightness in his left hamstring. ... Uribe's double extended his hitting streak to eight games. ... Ramirez has driven in a run in seven of his last nine games. ... Velez leads the majors with 12 stolen bases.