SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants dug deep into Johnny Cueto's stats, injury history and life as they chased him last offseason. They knew what they were getting, or they thought they did.
"He's been everything we thought," manager Bruce Bochy said, smiling, "And more."
Thursday was one of the nights when Cueto gave them more. Four years ago, he walked off the mound at AT&T Park this time of year with an injury, swinging a National League Division Series. A groin strain kept him from making his last start, and there was some lingering concern as the temperature dipped before a series finale with the Rockies.