In a season with little to no expectations for the San Francisco Giants, veteran starting pitcher Johnny Cueto had a chance to deliver a night to remember. It did not go well.
a chance at 99 percent
. It was a routine flyball. “Data-reactid =” 24 “> Holding a no-hitter in the sixth inning, Cueto was able to allow a flyball to Dodgers utility Kiké Hernández that should not have been a problem. Statcast measured the ball’s xBA (or chance) on a hit on similar balls in play) at just .060, with a chance at 99 percent. It was a routine flyball.However, no routine volleyball is routine if the outside planner does not see the ball. Enter Hunter Hunter at:
Ouch.
Pence lost the ball in the lights and could only stand and wait until the ball came 20 feet behind him. What should have been the first from the inning instead caused a triple for Hernández, who later scored one touchdown on a ground by catcher Austin Barnes.
The problems cut from there for the Giants. Cueto would eventually leave in the same inning after allowing a third homer to Dodgers’ third baseman Justin Turner. It is safe to say that the pitcher was frustrated:
Cueto * just * left the tunnel. He took off his valve briefly and pointed to his right foot, smiling, that I think this was his problem area (and it was not too big a problem).
– JP Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 9, 2020
