Giants notes: Bruce Bochy pushes gas pedal after trade deadline

SAN DIEGO — There don’t appear to be many appealing off-day activities in Phoenix, where it will be 109 degrees when the Giants land. That shouldn’t bother them too much. They’ll take the day no matter where it is.

With a chance to win a third straight a few hours after ownership and management decided not to sell, Bruce Bochy pushed down on the gas pedal. A few hours after he threw two innings in an extra-innings win, Reyes Moronta pitched the eighth and threw 27 pitches. Moronta couldn't hold the lead, and Tony Watson was soon in for his third consecutive appearance. When Brandon Crawford gave the Giants a 3-2 lead in the 10th, Will Smith came on for his third straight. Watson and Smith were both pitching in three consecutive games for the first time this season.

"You've heard me say it many times -- we need a day off -- but never like right now," manager Bruce Bochy said. "These guys needed a break, especially the arms."

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Bochy said it’s possible a couple of relievers may be unavailable Thursday, even with the day off built in.

—- Bochy didn’t have to use Chris Stratton on Tuesday so the right-hander will likely slide into the rotation on Friday in Phoenix. The plan is for Madison Bumgarner to face Zack Greinke in the opener, followed by Stratton, Andrew Suarez and Derek Holland. Stratton is taking Johnny Cueto’s spot.

—- The Giants didn’t have anything new on Cueto. He met with team doctors in San Francisco to go over another MRI and the expectation remains that he will need Tommy John surgery. Bochy said a final decision will be made in the next day or two.

—- The Giants didn’t make any moves before the deadline, but they still can get players through waivers in August. It would be a boost, then, if Andrew McCutchen were to get hot. McCutchen homered in the fifth inning Tuesday.