In 1974, TSN named D ‘Acquisto NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year when he went 12-14 with a 3.77 ERA for the fifth-place Giants, but he missed most of the next season after elbow surgery. Always wild, he was easier to hit afterwards, and was no longer a good starter. He tied an NL record with three wild pitches in the seventh inning on September 24, 1976. The San Diego native made a comeback with the Padres in 1978 by switching to the bullpen (10 saves, 2.13 ERA) but declined in subsequent years.