‘Like I was playing a video game’: Giants amazed by Team USA exhibition

Technically, the statistics from Wednesday night’s San Francisco Giants-team USA game don’t count on the Cactus League register.

Tell that to the five Giants pitchers who limited perhaps the best lineup in the world to four hits.

Tell that to third baseman David Villar, who entered 0-for-11 with seven strikeouts and proceeded to hit a single and home run.

Tell that especially to the lucky group of Giants minor-leaguers who got to join Team USA as fillin players, certainly one of the coolest experiences in their careers.

It counted for all of the above. “First-ballot Hall of Famers are on the field, and you’re out there at the same time,” said Connor Aldrete, who played third base after Nolan Arenado’s exit. “To share the field and dugout with so many amazing players, I was starstruck.”

Pitcher Evan Gates, who got the final out of the third inning after surrendering three straight hits, said, “It feels like I was playing a video game, and then it’s real life.”

It was an odd yet delightful evening at Scottsdale Stadium, where Team USA tuned up for Saturday’s World Baseball Classic opener against Great Britain with a 5-1 loss to the Giants. Fans were treated to the star power of Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Trea Turner but also Mike Gigliotti, Hayden Cantrelle and Shane Matheny, who were among the Giants’ prospects representing Team USA for one special night.

It was easy to spot the prospects. They were the wide-eyed ones with the gray pants (the U.S. regulars wore white) and no numbers.

“First, I was like, ‘Wait, those are our pants, right?’ “Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “It was weird . ... They were on our side in the (clubhouse) cafeteria eating with their USA jerseys and Giants pants on. It was kind of a strange day but a fun one no matter what.”

Dave Righetti, the former Giants reliever and pitching coach, is the Team USA’S bullpen coach who told Gates he’d be replacing starter Miles Mikolas, who had reached his pitch limit two outs into the third.

“We were told (Ryan) Walker was first out of bullpen,” Gates said, referring to another Giants farmhand, “then (Righetti) said, ‘Gates, get going.’ I’m like, well, maybe that’s the best thing, not knowing.”

Once Gates took the mound, catcher J.T. Realmuto and infielders Arenado, Turner, Jeff Mcneil and Paul Goldschmidt surrounded him.

Suddenly, Gates was an outsider at a who’s who convention.

“I actually said to them, ‘Well,

the unlocked character is in now,’ and they all started laughing,” Gates said. “Realmuto said, ‘Hey, you know yourself, shake me off.’ I’m like, ‘You’re the best catcher in the game, I’m not shaking you off.’ “

Haniger doubled, and Joc Pederson and Wilmer Flores singled. Gates struck out Brandon Crawford to finish the inning. Looking back, Gates called it an experience he’ll never forget even though he got pounded. Even getting notified was a big deal — Wednesday, farm director Kyle Haines approached him at the team’s minor-league site,

Papago Park, and told him he’d be suiting up for Team USA.

“I held my cool for a second and then walked away, and my hands were shaking,” said Gates, who posted a 1.95 ERA in 42 appearances last season. “I was, like, this is real, I might get in the game. To put this jersey on and be around these guys, it’s really a blessing . ... I mean, I’m standing next to Mike Trout.”

As for those stats, well, the updated spring-training numbers were released Thursday, and those prospects’ numbers aren’t listed because it wasn’t a Cactus League game. Silly, yes, especially because these are all exhibitions down here anyway.

So Villar officially remains 0-for-11 with seven strikeouts.

Not that the numbers affect how Kapler views his anticipated Opening Day third baseman.

“We’ve been trying to pump into David that we just don’t care about spring-training results the way most players think we do,” Kapler said. “This is just his opportunity to get into a rhythm.”

Conforto’s day: In Thursday’s 5-2 win over Milwaukee, Michael Conforto played defense for the first time since the 2021 season finale — and didn’t touch the ball. He did hit another homer, his third in three games, but was looking forward to some defensive reps in right field.

“I was full uni an hour and 15 minutes before the game started, so I was ready to rock,” said Conforto, who missed last season recovering from shoulder surgery. “I was itching to get a fly ball, a ground ball . ... I’m still waiting to make my first play out there. Next time.”

Conforto played six innings. In his previous five games, he was a designated hitter.

Briefly: Ronald Guzmán, a two-way player who’s new to pitching, made a powerful statement by striking out the side in the seventh inning Thursday. The first two strikeouts (Eddy Alvarez and Skye Bolt) came on sliders, the third on a 98-mph fastball that went untouched by Jesse Winker. Guzmán has no Cactus League plate appearances. The Giants are familiar with his offense; for now, they want to see his pitching potential . ... Sean Hjelle pitched the first three innings and gave up one run, a game-opening homer by Christian Yelich . ... Staff ace Logan Webb pitched against minor-leaguers at Papago Park, striking out seven and walking one in three-plus innings . ... Shortstop Marco Luciano (back) was cleared for full baseball activity, but the Giants said they have no timetable for the highly touted prospect to return to game action . ... In other developments from sick bay, Austin Slater (elbow) started hitting and will soon begin a throwing program, and Vaun Brown was diagnosed with left patellar tendinitis, Thomas Szapucki with left arm neuropathy.