Change Barry Zito’s name to Barry Zero.

Zero has a good ring to it and it’s appropriate because Zito/Zero has given up, get this, no runs in two starts this season, as in zero, as in 0.00 earned run average. As in zilch.

Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum wish they could change their names to Zero. But they can’t.

Here are a few more numbers, and I promise not to make this a numbers-oriented column. The Giants, who beat the Colorado Rockies 10-0 on Wednesday, have won the previous 16 times Zito has started, going back to last season. That includes three postseason starts. The Giants’ 16 in a row behind Zito ties their team record for 16 straight wins behind a starter, the co-record-holder being none other than the legendary Carl Hubbell, who did it in 1936, which means you might have missed it.

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