Frustration is setting in for the San Francisco Giants, who will look to avoid being swept in a three-game series on Thursday afternoon when they face the host Cincinnati Reds.
The Giants dropped their fourth straight game on Wednesday, losing 8-3 in another quiet night at the plate. San Francisco has been outscored 22-8 during the losing streak.
Cincinnati’s win was propelled by four home runs. Rookie Sal Stewart slugged a pair of three-run homers, while Eugenio Suarez and Elly De La Cruz each hit solo shots.
Stewart downplayed his performance after the game. The 22-year-old has three homers in his past two games and seven overall, which leads all rookies.
“I’m happy I had a good day today, but the game is over now,” Stewart said. “I’ll enjoy it tonight, but tomorrow we’ve got to come out here and look for the sweep.”
Rafael Devers had two hits for the Giants on Wednesday, but the three-time All-Star was steaming after striking out to begin the second inning. Devers slammed his bat, breaking it on his way back to the dugout.
“I think it was a buildup,” San Francisco manager Tony Vitello said. “I just think it’s a guy that’s capable any week of a major league season being the best hitter on the planet for that given week, and maybe even a more extended period. So, when it’s not going well for his teammates and not going well for himself, the frustration mounts a little bit.”
San Francisco is last in the majors in home runs (nine) and fell to 1-11 this season when scoring three or fewer runs with the Wednesday loss.
The Giants shook up their outfield prior to Wednesday’s game by placing Harrison Bader and Jared Oliva on the injured list. Will Brennan and Drew Gilbert were recalled from Triple-A Sacramento and were immediately inserted into the starting lineup.
Oliva has a fractured left wrist. Bader is dealing with a left-hamstring strain and might welcome a break after batting .115 with one homer to start the season.
“I think just a reset of everything and kicking all of that discomfort out of there will put me in a really good spot to just come back and be the version I know I can be on that field,” Bader said.
The series finale features a pair of right-handers on the mound as Cincinnati’s Chase Burns (1-1, 3.31 ERA) faces San Francisco’s Landen Roupp (2-1, 3.24).
After posting a 0.82 ERA in his first two outings, Burns gave up five runs, seven hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings in a 10-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels last Friday.
“Just a combination of things,” Burns said. “Maybe overthrowing. Just not being able to locate up and in to some guys. When you get it low, mid-thigh, and they can time up a heater, that’s what happens.”
Burns, 23, is set to make his first career appearance against the Giants.
San Francisco will counter with Roupp, who bounced back after giving up seven runs (five earned) in a 9-0 home loss to the New York Mets on April 4.
Roupp, 27, allowed one run over six innings in last Friday’s 6-3 road win over the Baltimore Orioles.
Roupp is making his second career start against Cincinnati. He pitched six innings of one-run ball in a 1-0 home loss on April 8, 2025.
–Field Level Media
