When we look back on this 2020 season, it's possible that Sunday's 4-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks will be viewed as one of the biggest of the year. At the very least, it might have the biggest impact on the immediate future of the Giants.
This was a huge swing series for two teams fighting to stay alive in the Wild Card race, and with a three-run rally in the eighth, the Giants got the win in the game and the series. They'll head into deadline day at 17-19. They also might have turned the Diamondbacks into sellers at 14-21, which would take one more team out of the pack fighting for the eight NL playoff spots.
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We'll see how it all plays out before tomorrow's deadline. For now, here are three takeaways from Sunday's win ...
Brought His A Game
This was as good as Johnny Cueto has looked since coming back from Tommy John surgery last September. Cueto bounced back from a rough one against the Dodgers earlier in the week, allowing just three hits in 6 2/3 innings. He had a shutout going until Eduardo Escobar yanked a low changeup just over the right-field wall in the seventh. Cueto struck out six.
Hello, Old Friend
San Francisco Giants
Remember Alex Dickerson's huge Giants debut last year, when he homered and drove in six runs? The Diamondbacks starter that day was Taylor Clarke, who gave up a grand slam to Dickerson.
The two faced off again Sunday and Dickerson once again had the advantage. He hit a high solo homer to right in the first inning that was the only hit the Giants got off Clarke, who really had impressive stuff. Clarke struck out seven in his five innings, but left trailing thanks to Dickerson.
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Pulling Away
The Giants had just one hit through seven innings, but Brandon Crawford and Wilmer Flores got them going in the eighth with a single and double, respectively. After Mike Yastrzemski was hit by a pitch, Dickerson lined a go-ahead single into left. Evan Longoria then found a hole in the shift to stretch the lead to three runs.