Cueto's dominance should not be lost in Belt's AB. Cueto, and to a lesser extent Chris Stratton, have been keeping the ship somewhat steady as it takes on water. Now that Samardzija is back, and finally when Bumgarner returns, the Giants should be able to count on consistent starting pitching, which should help the stretched out bullpen.
The mention from the mlb.com article,that this was the first series the Giants have won this season is almost as amazing in a negative way as Belt's AB was in the positive. The Giants, as currently constituted, appear to be, at best, a .500 team (81-81). At worst, you could make the argument that they are what they consistently do, which is lose three game sets (1-2). That's a (54-108) record. If you say, maybe somewhere in the middle, be careful what you wish for because that's (67.5 - 94.5) i.e. last year's team.
They have to show signs of life, especially the offense, before Bumgarner returns, or the rebuild (not retool) has to begin.
from mlb.com
https://www.mlb.com/news/johnny-cueto-lowers-era-to-035-in-giants-win/c-273384986
Cueto lowers ERA to 0.35 as Giants top Halos
Righty takes no-hit bid into sixth; Belt homers for fourth straight game
ANAHEIM -- It took three-plus weeks, a determined outing from Johnny Cueto and an epic day from Brandon Belt, but the Giants finally won their first series this season.
Belt's historic 21-pitch at-bat in the first inning Sunday was the conversation piece, but his fifth-inning home run helped fuel a 4-2 victory over the Angels.
Cueto contributed his fair share as well, holding the Angels to no runs on two hits after carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He lowered his ERA to 0.35 after four starts.
"It's great to get a series," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "You hate to wait this long to get one, but on the road against a club that has really been playing well this year, Johnny came through for us. What a great effort he gave us and we hung on."
The Giants won two of the three games at Anaheim, in a rematch of the thrilling 2002 World Series won by the Angels.
Cueto, who missed a recent start with an ankle sprain, pitched through some discomfort, even getting a visit from the trainer at one point. He did not give up a base hit until Ian Kinsler singled to lead off the sixth inning.
He closed the sixth by loading the bases but getting Luis Valbuena to hit into a 3-6-1 double play to end the threat. Cueto did a spin and made a fist pump after recording the out at first base, which ended up being the final out of his outing.
"Based on the situation I had to celebrate it," Cueto said.
"It was a hard-fought game, but no question it's good to head home with a series under our belt," Bochy said.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Cueto spun around like a top in celebration after working his way out of a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning. After loading the bases with one out, Cueto got Valbuena to hit a ground ball to Belt at first base. Belt started a nifty 3-6-1 double play, with Cueto combining a spin with a pump of his fist following the last out of his outing.
Cueto spun around like a top in celebration after working his way out of a bases-loaded situation in the sixth inning. After loading the bases with one out, Cueto got Valbuena to hit a ground ball to Belt at first base. Belt started a nifty 3-6-1 double play, with Cueto combining a spin with a pump of his fist following the last out of his outing.
SOUND SMART
Cueto's 0.35 ERA is the lowest for a Giants pitcher after four starts since Ray Sadecki had a 0.25 mark in 1968. Cueto has given up one run over 26 innings so far this season, firing scoreless outings at the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and now the Angels.
Cueto's 0.35 ERA is the lowest for a Giants pitcher after four starts since Ray Sadecki had a 0.25 mark in 1968. Cueto has given up one run over 26 innings so far this season, firing scoreless outings at the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and now the Angels.
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