Worse, and worst

The best thing you could say about Barry Zito's latest defeat was that the lefthander wasn't horrible, allowing just two runs in five innings but still dropping to 0-7 in San Francisco's 3-1 loss Wednesday at Pittsburgh.

But it led us to look up this week's "That's Debatable" column on ESPN.com by our old friend Jayson Stark. Stark answers a reader who wonders: "Which free agent pitching signing is the worst in baseball history: Zito (seven years, $126 million), or Mike Hampton (eight years, $121 million)?

While he admits there are "compelling arguments for both sides," Stark goes with Hampton as the worst, citing two glaring reasons:

Hampton won 53 games over the first seven years and $100 million of the contract, good for just under $1.89 million per win.

Hampton was paid $38 million by a team for which he never pitched (Florida Marlins).

As for Zito, Stark said, "At least Zito goes out there and pitches [and as messy as that has been], there's at least some redeeming value in the innings he eats."

The Hopper is happening

To some who don't know, Badenhop might be German for "a ground ball that hits a pebble in the infield and bounces over a fielder's shoulder."

But no. Badenhop is actually pitcher Burke Badenhop, one of the players who went from Detroit to Florida in the off-season megatrade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers.

Badenhop, a 19th-round draft pick, posted his first major-league victory Wednesday night against Milwaukee. He retired the first 10 batters he faced, and allowed two runs in 52/3 innings while striking out seven, even if the pregame notes listed him as "Bradenhop."

"If they misspell Joe Smith's name, then I would say something," Badenhop said in the Miami Herald. "It's happened. I think they were calling me Bruce when I pitched in Atlanta." Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has taken to calling him "The Hopper."

Still counting

In the ho-hum department, Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has extended his own major-league record by being ejected from a baseball game for the 137th time. So what if Cox was arguing a balk called against starter Tim Hudson? Don't you think a guy who has spoken as many expletives as Cox to the umpires is jeopardizing his team because the umps may subconsciously (or consciously) decide close calls against the Braves because of him? Just wondering . . .

Dial 4 for long distance

The Chicago Tribune reported that the four home runs allowed by Cubs starter Jon Lieber in the second inning Wednesday against Cincinnati traveled a combined 1,600 feet, the length of a good-sized par 5. The ex-Phillie is now part of a dubious Cubs franchise record for most home runs allowed in an inning. Journeyman lefthander Phil Norton gave up home runs to Gary Sheffield, Shawn Green, Kevin Elster and pitcher Darren Dreifort at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 8, 2000.

Notable

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired former Phillies outfielder Jason Michaels and cash from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named. Michaels was designated for assignment Tuesday after hitting .207 in 21 games.

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Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494

or jjuliano@phillynews.com.