PHOENIX — Having clinched a postseason spot four times since 2010, the Giants know a thing or two about Hangover Lineups. They won’t have any this season, but they’re certainly doing a good job of taking advantage of them.
For the second time on this trip, the Giants faced a team that had celebrated a clinch the night before. The Diamondbacks basically played their September call-ups, and Johnny Cueto carved them up. His lineup jumped all over Zack Godley, who will be in the playoff rotation if the Diamondbacks get past the Wild Card Game, winning 9-2 at Chase Field.
The Giants moved back into a tie with the Phillies for the worst record in the majors. Here are some more fun facts...
Cueto dominates D'backs: Cueto will likely start Sunday at AT&T Park. His final road appearance: 6 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts. Over his last four starts, Cueto has 29 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings.
Hundley reaches new heights: Nick Hundley gave the Giants the lead with a three-run shot in the fourth, his ninth of the season. The towering homer had an apex of 142 feet and was easily the highest-hit homer of the season. Denard Span had the previous high at 131 feet.
Giants explode in fifth: The five-run fourth was the lineup’s first five-run inning since August 19, when the Giants scored five in the ninth against the Phillies. In addition to Hundley’s homer, Hunter Pence had a solo shot off the right field pole.
Chance at milestone gone? Joe Panik .300 Update: This will probably be the final edition of the popular Joe Panik .300 Update. Panik was 0 for 4, dropping his average to .287 with five games to go.
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#OldFriendAlert: Old friend Gregor Blanco led off for the Diamondbacks and proved to be a pest. He walked in each of his first two plate appearances, stole a base, and scored two runs.
