SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants dug deep into Johnny Cueto's stats, injury history and life as they chased him last offseason. They knew what they were getting, or they thought they did.
"He's been everything we thought," manager Bruce Bochy said, smiling, "And more."
Thursday was one of the nights when Cueto gave them more. Four years ago, he walked off the mound at AT&T Park this time of year with an injury, swinging a National League Division Series. A groin strain kept him from making his last start, and there was some lingering concern as the temperature dipped before a series finale with the Rockies. Cueto, however, never blinked.
He looked like his normal self while striking out 11 in seven innings. He looked fine while twice sprinting to first on grounders to the right side. And, a man who knows how to turn it up when he sniffs a hit, looked healthy while beating out a bunt single to help spark a three-run sixth inning rally.
Cueto and the Giants cruised from there, winning 7-2. He picked up his 18th win, lowering his ERA to 2.79. The Giants will finish the first regular season of Cueto's six-year deal with a 23-9 record when he starts.
“Some players, you know they’re good, but when you see them firsthand and they play for you, you get to appreciate what they do and what their talent is how competitive they are,” Bochy said. “His will to win is something I didn’t know much about. But watching, I’ve come to appreciate it.”
Cueto’s return was a boost in the big picture, too. The Giants remain in position to be the second wild card, or the fifth team into the National League playoffs. If they get in, there won’t be a team set up better in the rotation. Madison Bumgarner did not pitch against the Rockies, but Cueto, Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija combined for 33 strikeouts. Bumgarner goes Friday in the first of three season-ending games against the Dodgers.
The Giants could have entered the crucial series with a two-game cushion over the Cardinals, but St. Louis walked off Cincinnati earlier Thursday in controversial fashion. With a runner on first, Yadier Molina hit what should have been a ground-rule double. It wasn’t called that way on the field and the winning run raced home. When the Reds tried to ask for a challenge, they were told it was too late.
The Cardinals might have won the game anyway. Given the state of the Reds’ bullpen, they probably would have. But given the closeness of the wild card race, the play will surely be talked about at length Friday. Most of the Giants found out about the finish during Thursday’s game. Manager Bruce Bochy was given a brief explanation after the final out. Bochy was told that the Reds were planning to protest the game.
“It’s a tough break for the Reds,” he said. “It’s a tough break, I guess, for us.”
Bobby Evans spearheaded a successful protest two seasons ago after a tarp incident in Chicago, but there is nothing the Giants can do at this point. They still control their own destiny, and on Thursday they made sure Cueto’s performance did not go to waste a night after Samardzija’s 11-strikeout gem resulted in a loss.
The big rally was one reminiscent of past October runs. The sixth inning went: infield single off the pitcher, error, bunt single, fielder’s choice grounder, sacrifice fly, bunt single, error. It was not pretty. It was, however, highly effective.
Cueto had the back-breaking blow, a bunt to third that Nolan Arenado threw away, allowing two runs to score.
“I think it’s the first time I’ve seen Arenado make an error,” Bochy said.
Cueto did his post-game interview in a shirt emblazoned with the word “ATHLETE.” His teammates were overjoyed as they watched him sprint to second on the throw, showing that his groin is intact and ready for another month on the mound.
“A lot of happiness,” Hunter Pence said of the dugout reaction. “It was a big moment. A lot of good stuff happened.”
The Giants need three more days of happiness to set up another postseason run. They have Samardzija ready to contribute Saturday out of the bullpen, or Monday in a tiebreaker game. They have Cueto lined up for an NLDS opener if it all works out, but the right-hander said he’s up for a little action against the Dodgers if needed.
“I’m ready,” Cueto said. “If they give me the ball, I’ll take the ball.”
