MILWAUKEE – For 21 years, the franchise that brought Juan Marichal to the major leagues quietly suffered in a drought. It had been that long since the Giants received a win from a starting pitcher born in the Dominican Republic.
Johnny Cueto brought it to an end Tuesday night, using his own mix of improvisation and effervescence to subdue the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2-1 victory at Miller Park.
In his first start since signing a six-year, $120 million contract, Cueto did not overpower the Brewers as much as outsmart them. He showed a range of deliveries, brushed the fringes of the zone and slipped out of two entanglements while allowing a run on six hits in seven innings.