Well, we guess that's another way to do it

A well-rounded team can find more than one way to win games. The early returns from the NL West Primary would have us project San Francisco has that kind of team.

A day after bludgeoning Milwaukee 12-3, the Giants relied on pitching and defense to topple the same Brewers 2-1 and keep their 2016 mark unblemished at 2-0.

It's early, but this guy looks pretty good (AP Phot0)

The game was all about free-agent hurler Johnny Cueto, who shook, shimmied and slide-stepped his way to seven innings of one-run ball.  He scattered six hits and struck out four, spotting the Brewers a run and pitching out of some early trouble before settling in enough to make the faithful think that six-year, $130 million deal might end up being worth every penny.

The Giants saw the Cueto who laughed and joked through eight-plus seasons in Cincinnati rather than the Cueto who struggled in a brief stint with Kansas City (his World Series gem notwithstanding). This was vintage Cueto, varying his motion and mixing pitches, all while legitimately seeming to have a good time.

We guess nearly $22 million a year is a lot of fun. At least we’d like to think it would be. We mean, there’s no common frame of reference but it sounds like a lot of … never mind. About the game:

Cueto's nature might be best exemplified by a third-inning duel with Brewers enhanced slugger Ryan Braun. With a runner at third, Braun worked the count full as he and Cueto did the baseball version of thrust-and-parry on an assortment of just-missed pitches, only to see Cueto spin off a wicked breaker for a swinging strike three that left both men good-naturedly mugging at one another 

The Giants offense apparently wore itself out after bashing the brew out of Milwaukee on Opening Day. San Francisco did collect seven hits but had a hard time converting them into runs. That old bugaboo about stranding runners at third with less than two out returned; it’s the drunken uncle that won’t go home after Thanksgiving dinner.

Overall the G-men had 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position, managing to cash in just one. Fortunately, every position is scoring position when the ball leaves the yard. Just ask Brandon Crawford.

Says Braun: "Yeah, you got me." (AP Photo)

The Giants’ shortstop had a breakout campaign in 2015, winning a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove. He’s picking up right where he left off. After Milwaukee cobbled together a run in the bottom of the second, B-Craw opening the Giants third with a towering blast to the seats in right, tying the score.

Crawford’s glove came into play in the bottom of the frame when he ranged to his left to field Domingo Santana’s bouncer and fired home to cut down Johnathan Villar, thanks in large part to a nice sweep tag by Posey.

What proved to be the deciding run scored in the fourth when Joe Panik singled, Buster Posey walked, and Hunter Pence’s apparently double-play by caromed off hurler Jimmy Nelson for an infield single to load the bags. Then the struggles began.

Brandon Belt, who had a big day on Monday, popped out. Matt Duffy grounded into a force play that plated Panik, and Crawford flied out to end the frame. All that promise: one run. Ouch.

From that point on, crickets.

Panik and Crawford wound up with two hits each; Crawford added a double to his round tripper. Pence, Belt and Denard Span all hit safely. A day after pounding four homers, every non-Crawford safety was of the one-base variety.

Serio Romo retired the Brewers in order in the eighth, although Colin Walsh’s screamer to deep right opening the frame was a bit scary until Pence caught it – or it caught him. Santiago Casilla pitched a 1-2-3 ninth (please, please be an omen), striking out two for the save.

Cueto was a big part of the Giants’ off-season pitching overhaul. The second cog is on the hill on Wednesday’s finale. Many of the regulars were expected to sit as Jeff Samardzija gots the Tim Lincecum treatment, but Bruce Bochy advance line-up showed only Angel Pagan getting a break as the Giants go for the sweep. Then it’s an off-day leading into the home opener with Los Angeles.

That is, if the team charter is actually functional this time.

Around the Bases:

Los Angeles is also off to a quick start. The Hated Dodgers have yet to allow a run, posting 15-0 and 3-0 wins at San Diego. Yes, the Padres really are that bad. Getting one-hit by Clayton Kershaw (seven innings) we can see. Following that with just two hits off Scott Kazmir? Shameful. Wanna bet someone in that front office is looking for work by June?

Colorado and Arizona squared off for the second straight day as the Giants were the only team not invited to the NL West party. The Story there is rookie shortstop Trevor Story (had to), who has three home runs in two games and is trying his best to make Rockies fans forget that Tulo guy. The Rocks and D-backs have split the pair.