Barry Zito, demoted to the San Francisco Giants bullpen last week, is returning to the starting rotation without having made any relief appearances.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Zito will start today's game in Pittsburgh against the Pirates' Phil Dumatrait (0-1). Zito, who a year ago signed a $126 million, seven-year contract, was sent to the bullpen last week after compiling a 7.53 ERA while losing his first six starts.

"Barry Zito's going to start. He's a starter," Bochy said yesterday. "We just gave him a break."

Zito was San Francisco's opening-day starter this season and became only the third pitcher since 1956 to go 0-6 before May, joining Texas' Dave Stewart (1984) and Detroit's Mike Maroth (2003). The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner with Oakland is a three-time All-Star.

Zito hasn't pitched since April 27, when he gave up eight runs and seven hits in three innings during a 10-1 loss to the Reds.

"I think it was good to take a step back and get objective on some things," Zito said. "I'm excited to get out there. I'm real excited to go pitch to hitters and take those adjustments into the game."

AMERICAN LEAGUE

WHITE SOX 7, TWINS 1: Gavin Floyd's (3-1) no-hit bid lasted until the ninth when Joe Mauer doubled with one out for visiting Minnesota's only hit, and and Bobby Jenks got the final two outs as Chicago ended a six-game losing streak.

Rays 5, Blue Jays 4: Andy Sonnanstine (5-1) allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings, and Eric Hinske homered to help visiting Tampa Bay end Toronto's five-game winning streak.

Red Sox 5, Tigers 0: Tim Wakefield (3-1) allowed two hits in eight innings, and David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez hit back-to-back homers on successive pitches off two pitchers for host Boston.

Indians 5, Yankees 3: Pinch-hitter David Dellucci hit a three-run homer with two outs in the top of the eighth off Joba Chamberlain (1-2) to lead Cleveland over New York.

Angels 5, Royals 3: Garret Anderson homered for the second straight game, this time a three-run shot, and drove in five runs to lead visiting Los Angeles past Kansas City.

Athletics 4, Orioles 2: Justin Duchscherer (3-1) gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings, and Emil Brown, Bobby Crosby, Mark Ellis and Rajai Davis drove in runs to lift host Oakland over Baltimore.

Rangers 10, Mariners 1: Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and David Murphy drove in three runs each, and Sidney Ponson (2-1) allowed a run and seven hits over seven innings to lead Texas past Seattle.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

BRAVES 5, PADRES 3: Chipper Jones hit his 10th homer, Mark Kotsay had two hits, including a homer, and Jair Jurrjens (4-2) gave up a run on seven hits in six innings to lift host Atlanta to its fourth straight victory.

Cubs 3, Reds 0: Carlos Zambrano (5-1) scattered three hits over eight innings, and Ronny Cedeno had a two-out, two-run single in the top of the fourth for a 3-0 lead to lead Chicago over Cincinnati.

Marlins 3, Brewers 0: Scott Olsen (4-1) allowed two hits in 8 2/3 innings, Kevin Gregg retired Bill Hall on a flyout with the bases loaded and Mike Jacobs hit a two-run homer to lift host Florida over Milwaukee.

Pirates 12, Giants 6: Nate McLouth homered twice and drove in three runs, and Zach Duke (1-2) took a shutout into the seventh, but wound up giving up three runs on eight hits over 7 1/3 innings to lead host Pittsburgh.

Astros 6, Nationals 5: Carlos Lee had the go-ahead two-run double in the bottom off the eighth inning and Lance Berkman had a career-high five hits to lead Houston over Washington.

Cardinals 6, Rockies 5: Braden Looper (6-1) allowed four runs and 10 hits in 8 1/3 innings and went 2 for 3 with an RBI as visiting St. Louis hung on to beat Colorado.

Diamondbacks 6, Phillies 4: Stephen Drew hit a three-run homer and Randy Johnson (2-1) allowed four runs and six hits in six innings for his 286th career victory to lead host Arizona.

Dodgers 5, Mets 4: Just 24 hours after hitting his first major league home run, Blake DeWitt got his first inside-the park homer — a two-run shot off the top of the right-field fence — that lifted host Los Angeles over New York.