SAN FRANCISCO–If the San Francisco Giants pull off a historic turnaround in 2018, the winning formula should look a lot like the one the team used in its 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
Johnny Cueto battled, Hunter Pence provided the power and the rest of the team did just enough to sneak past the Rockies in the club’s eighth walkoff win of the season.
For a team that’s looked old, slow –and in today’s homer happy era–outdated for much of the year, the Giants appeared under a different guise on Tuesday evening. This version of the club was effective, efficient, and clearly determined to have an impact on a playoff race it exited long ago.
“I think it’s extremely important to keep that passion,” Pence said. “All of us, it’s not just about standings, we love competing and getting out here and playing what we love to do. It’s very important. Every one of these games matters a lot. We’re pushing on all cylinders and pulling on all cylinders and taking advantage of the opportunity. Every game is a lesson.”
After the Giants fell behind 2-0 in the top of the second inning, it appeared as if San Francisco was on its way to its 94th loss of the season. Johnny Cueto’s pitch count was out of control, San Francisco’s lineup can hardly be counted on, and a Rockies’ team that’s given the Giants fits this year was in control.
But in the fifth inning, the Giants seized back momentum with a two-run bomb off Pence’s bat that electrified the stadium and offered a jolt of life into home dugout.
“It was great and you know what, he’s been swinging the bat better,” Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy said. “Unfortunately he dove for that ball and had to deal with some back spasms, but I think overall he’s getting better swings off. Had a good night tonight.”
Pence’s blast pushed San Francisco ahead 3-2, and while the Giants’ right fielder was eager to circle the base paths, his starting pitcher had a different idea. After leading off the inning with a single, Cueto was in no hurry to rush home following the two-run homer. Instead, he turned his jog into a trot, before putting on the brakes and just walking the final few feet down the third base line.
“Obviously I was very happy when he hit the home run,” Cueto said. “And I just kept telling him, just go ahead and slow down and enjoy the home run because he’s always running really fast.”
When Cueto was halfway to third base, Pence was already hot on his trail, but he managed to slow down after his starting pitcher turned around and told him to savor the moment.
“I was like, I’m not the starting pitcher,” Pence said. “They expend so much energy. Every pitch you have to think of as like a sprint so you got to take it easy if they’re taking it easy in front of you. So that was kind of funny.”
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Pence came to the plate with a chance to win the game, and even though Rockies’ manager Bud Black went to a five-man infield, Pence delivered. His sacrifice fly plated Orlando Calixte and sent the Giants home happy.
Pence’s three-RBI night lifted the Giants’ offense, while Cueto’s ability to navigate through 6.2 innings after logging more than 60 pitches through his first three frames gave San Francisco every opportunity to rally for a comeback. Though Cueto’s night began on rocky ground, he found his footing by inducing three groundball double plays and striking out six Colorado hitters.
“That was very vintage Cueto,” Pence said. “He got a rhythm going and he’s good at breaking the other team’s rhythm and he had it moving on all corners with all of the pitches so he’s got just a tremendous feel for pitching. He’s just a great, great pitcher.”
If the Giants are going to return to form as a club in 2018, their victories will look a lot like the one they earned on Tuesday night. The game featured two Buster Posey hits, a number of sharp defensive plays including a jump throw from Joe Panik and timely situational hitting against their opponent’s bullpen.
Of course, for the Giants’ hopes to come to fruition next year, they’ll also need Cueto to battle as hard as he did against the Rockies for the entirety of the regular season. First, the 31-year-old right-hander will have to opt into the final four years of his contract, but right now, the club is eager to welcome him back.
“We love him (Cueto) here,” Pence said. “He’s definitely got a wonderful presence. He’s always having a good time and you know, he’s a tremendous competitor.”