The Los Angeles Dodgers faced San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto a third time this season on Friday, and second time at AT&T Park. In his first home start against the Dodgers, Cueeto allowed five runs in the first inning before settling in to throw seven frames.
He got off on a shaky note yet again, hitting Chase Utley with a pitch and then giving up an infield single to Corey Seager. After a wild pitch allowed both runners to advance, Cueto was called for a balk that gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
Adrian Gonzalez tacked on an RBI single before the right-hander managed to get out of the inning. But, just as he did back on April 10, Cueto stifled the Dodgers after the first inning.
Their lone baserunner came when Utley was again hit by a pitch in the fifth inning, though it required the Dodgers to challenge the call. Clayton Kershaw was also impressive but the Giants tied the game in the sixth inning.
Both starting pitchers tossed eight innings, allowed two runs and exited with the game tied at 2-2. Santiago Casilla took over for the Giants in the ninth and promptly gave up a leadoff home run to Justin Turner:
The home run was Turner’s fifth this season, second in the last three games, and proved to be the difference in the Dodgers’ 3-2 victory.
