SAN FRANCISCO: In many ways, Johnny Cueto was the easiest option to start the Giants ’home opening in 2021. He’s a performer on the mound and performs best in front of an audience, who set the stage for a memorable Friday afternoon at Oracle Park.
The ever-entertaining Cueto threw eight 2/3 ball innings in one throw, and Brandon Crawford added a double for the first time and two to lead the Giants to a 3-1 victory over the Rockies in their first game in front of his fans in San Francisco since September 29, 2019.
Cueto only allowed four hits, got seven and got one in his longest outing since 2016, becoming the first Giants starter to make a winning decision this year.
“I thought it was as good a start as I saw Johnny throw,” said Gabe Kapler, manager of the Giants. “While completely controlling each situation. Perfectly synchronized with [catcher] Buster [Posey]. Just excellent performance, brave and efficient. ”
Cueto found himself locked in a pitcher’s duel for most of the afternoon with Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber that prevented San Francisco from six innings before Crawford finally got the goalless draw.
After putting together just one hit and two runs in the first six games against Gomber, the Giants managed to chase the 27-year-old Southpaw in the bottom of the seventh, when he posted a couple of walks to Darin Ruf and Buster Posey with an out. Later, Rockies manager Bud Black incorporated right-hander Tyler Kinley, who again threw Alex Dickerson to load the bases.
This prompted Crawford, who drove a 1-2 slider from Kinley to the center-right gap to the two-run beach and gave the Giants the first lead of the afternoon.
“It was definitely special,” Crawford said. “Just being out there with the fans back in the crowd, coming home and being able to be very successful in a great situation. It was all very special and it was a lot of fun.”
Cueto closed his door until the ninth inning, but ceded a triple-lead to Chris Owings, who scored on a sacrifice fly to reduce the Giants ’lead to 3-1. Kapler then went out to the mound to check out Cueto, docking fans who wanted to see the 35-year veteran become a full-fledged game.
“It’s not the first time they make me squirm, I promise,” Kapler said with a laugh. “I get it. Fans wanted to see Johnny finish this game. I wanted to see Johnny finish this game. Everyone who was in the dig wanted to see how Johnny finished this game.”
Kapler was closer to Jake McGee about to enter the bullring, but decided to stay with Cueto and give him a chance to record the last two outings of the match.
“He asked me how I felt and I told him I felt good,” Cueto said in Spanish. “He told me he had the nearest one ready, and he talked to Posey, who said he should grab the ball and move on. [First baseman Brandon] Belt said the same thing, so I went back to the mound.
Cueto retired Ryan McMahon on a flight, but then ceded a single to Trevor Story on his 118-yard field, causing Kapler to incorporate McGee, who finished with Sam Hilliard on three throws to end the game.
The Giants starters have thrown at least five innings and have given up no more than three runs in each of the club’s first seven games, which has reduced the ERA of the starting line-up to 2.28 this season. Cueto’s start is particularly encouraging, as he recorded a maximum ERA of 5.40 in 2020, his first full season after Tommy John’s surgery. He is looking to recover when he enters the final guaranteed year of his contract with the Giants.
“This was one of my best starts in the end, as last year I didn’t do too well,” Cueto said. “I will continue to work as I normally do. There’s still a lot of baseball left, so I just have to keep doing what I’m doing. ”
After debuting last season in Seattle last week, Cueto said he hoped to re-launch in front of fans because it feeds on people’s energy during their outings. It was shown on Friday afternoon, when Cueto wore his branded shimmies, including a triple shimmy to destroy CJ Cron to finish seventh, to interrupt batting time and provide quality entertainment to fans.
“I think there’s a bit of an entertainment aspect to Johnny, and I think it’s a good thing, because he does it in support,” Black said. “I think he likes being out there. I think he likes the big stage. He was excited. I think the most important thing is that he throws and competes. He knows what his job is, and I think it’s good that he does it with a little style. “