SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Zito came through in one of the most important outings in his San Francisco tenure, pitching the NL West-leading Giants past the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 on Sunday night to extend their division lead to 5 1/2 games.

Hunter Pence hit a two-run double in the first inning that held up and Buster Posey homered in San Francisco’s fifth win in the last six meetings of the rivalry.

Marco Scutaro added a sacrifice fly to back an impressive performance by Zito (11-8), who allowed four hits in 6 1-3 scoreless innings to win his third straight decision. He combined with five relievers on the five-hit shutout

Joe Blanton (1-4) took the loss for Los Angeles (74-67), which dropped 1 1/2 games back of St. Louis for the second NL wild card.