"The strange brew that is the 2011 Giants season gained some strange new ingredients on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon and evening at Wrigley Field.

The Giants swept the Cubs in a doubleheader, 13-7 and 6-3. They scored 19 runs on 30 hits over 18 innings, yet all would have to admit that the spiciest addition to the soup came from a pitcher.

Go figure.

Barry Zito returned to a major-league mound for the first time since he sprained his foot more than two months ago and held the Cubs to two runs on four hits over seven innings in the second game. He earned his first win of the season and validated all the sweat he put into his rehabilitation.

"He just looked confident throwing strikes," manager Bruce Bochy said after the Giants ran their win streak to a season-high seven games while moving 12 games above .500 (46-34) for the first time.

"When things go awry for him, he puts guys on base, walks guys. He threw more strikes, more quality strikes. He had a different way about him when he came back from rehab. He looked like the pressure was lifted off him and he was having fun."

Was Zito jumping for joy in the cramped visiting clubhouse? Hardly. After the win he looked as excited as someone who just threw his tax return into the mailbox.

"For me, a lot of focus is required to do that," Zito said, referring to the seven innings, not rushing to the mailbox. "I might be more emotional tomorrow. Talk to me then. Postpone the interview."

He said the last part with a smile, one of many in a room on a rare day of offensive gluttony for a normally viscous offense."