BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER
Shutout losers to the Dodgers Wednesday night, the Giants didn’t wait long to return the favor as Johnny Cueto and four relievers combined to limit Los Angeles to four hits in a 5-0 win Thursday afternoon before a lively crowd of 35,136 at Oracle Park.
Brandon Crawford laced a two-run first inning bases loaded double in his first at bat since returning from a stint on the injured list to stake the Giants to a 2-0 lead that they’d never relinquish. The win gave San Francisco their second series win against the Dodgers in just over a week and extended their lead to three games in the NL West. Cueto (7-5, 3.84) pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings, allowing only four hits before getting into trouble loading the bases in the sixth, but Jarlin Garcia came in to strike out Cody Bellinger on three pitches to shut down the threat. Dominic Leone, Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee then each came on to pitch perfect innings and preserve the shutout.
“I thought it was Johnny’s best outing in a long time,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “I also thought his stuff was especially crisp.The fastball was as good as we’ve seen it in a long time.”
Johnny Cueto follows thru on a pitch on the way to 5 2/3 shutout innings against the Dodgers Thursday afternoon during San Francisco’s 5-0 win at Oracle Park.
With baseball’s trade deadline at 1PM Friday, rumors were flying around the ballpark as both teams have been linked with numerous potential big name acquisitions that are rumored to be available. “I think we’re in a pretty good position,” Crawford said. “First place is a good position to be in. I think there are some guys that are available that could probably help us, but we have the best record in baseball right now. We’re doing things pretty good. If we add, great. If we don’t, great. We’re playing well with the team we have right now.”
The Giants will return to action Friday night for the start of a three-game series with the Houston Astros. The Giants (64-38) are the only team in baseball with a better record than Dusty Baker’s team (63-40) which has a 5 1/2 game lead over Oakland in the AL West. Kevin Gausman (9-4, 2.21) is scheduled to face Framber Valdez (6-2, 2.97) in the opener at 6:45PM.
GAME NOTES:
The Giants win tied the season series at eight wins apiece. The teams will face off one final time for a three-game series at Oracle Park September 3-5.
Despite taking the series, San Francisco hasn’t homered in a season-high tying three straight games.
Prior to the game San Francisco optioned reliever John Brebbia to Triple-A Sacramento and released outfielder Mike Tauchman to make room for Brandon Crawford and pitcher Aaron Sanchez to return from the injured list.
Los Angeles starter David Price (4-1, 3.63) remains winless in his career against the Giants in six appearances.
With three games remaining in the season series, Max Muncy has already hit eight home runs against the Giants, tying Tommy Davis (1962) and Ron Cey (1978) for the most since the teams moved to the west coast.
Dodgers Hall Of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda announced his retirement 25 years ago today on July 29, 1996.
