Hunter Pence's bloop double in 9th lifts Johnny Cueto, Giants to 1-0 win against Padres
SAN FRANCISCO - Brandon Belt scored from first base when pinch-hitter Hunter Pence’s bloop double to short right field fell between two San Diego Padres players with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Giants a 1-0 victory Monday night.
Johnny Cueto (7-1) allowed two hits in his third complete-game win over San Diego this season. The right-hander struck out six and didn’t walk a batter while becoming the first San Francisco pitcher since Jason Schmidt in 2004 to win seven times in his first 10 starts.
Cueto appeared headed for a no-decision before Pence’s game-ending hit.
Belt led off the ninth with a single against Brad Hand (1-1). Brandon Crawford and Gregor Blanco struck out swinging before Pence lofted a shallow fly. The ball dropped between right fielder Matt Kemp and second baseman Alexi Amarista as they chased in vain.
The Giants improved to 7-0 against the Padres this season.
Read a longer version of this article at pressdemocrat.com.
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