Zito strong again as Giants top Mariners

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Barry Zito allowed two runs and four hits in four innings, helping the San Francisco Giants top the Seattle Mariners 7-5 on Thursday.

Brandon Crawford hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning and provided solid defense at shortstop.

Crawford’s homer gave the Giants a 4-2 lead, and San Francisco scored three runs in the seventh inning off Mariners reliever George Sherrill.

Zito threw 62 pitches in his third start of spring training, his only major mistake was a two-run home run by Seattle’s Mike Carp in the third.

Erasmo Ramirez, a top pitching prospect for the Mariners, allowed a run and four hits in four innings, the Giants’ run coming in the first inning on a double by Brett Pill to drive in leadoff man Gregor Blanco.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt had three hits and designated hitter Freddy Sanchez added two. Miguel Olivo had two hits, including a double for the Mariners, and Carp had three RBIs.