CINCINNATI — In a dramatic turn of events, the San Francisco Giants rallied in the ninth inning to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 on March 27, 2025, during the 149th home Opening Day in Reds history. The game, played at Great American Ball Park, saw the Giants score four runs in the final frame, led by Wilmer Flores’ clutch three-run homer.
Entering the ninth inning trailing 3-2, the Giants faced a daunting task against Reds reliever Ian Gibaut. The Reds had held the lead since the first inning, thanks in large part to Jeimer Candelario, who drove in three runs throughout the game. However, the Giants were determined to spoil the home opener for the Reds and their new manager, Terry Francona.
Gibaut, who was stepping in as the closer with Alexis Diaz on the injured list, started the ninth by striking out Willy Adames. But things quickly unraveled when Jung Hoo Lee drew a walk, followed by a single from Matt Chapman that put runners on the corners. Heliot Ramos struck out for the second out of the inning, leaving the Giants on the brink of defeat.
Then came Patrick Bailey, who delivered a game-tying single, bringing the score to 3-all. Flores followed with a towering three-run homer that sailed into the left-field stands, giving the Giants a 6-3 lead and sending the Reds’ fans into a stunned silence.
Despite a late rally from the Reds, who managed to score a run in the bottom of the ninth, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Giants’ comeback. Matt McLain, in his first regular season game since August 27, 2023, came to the plate with a chance to tie the game but flew out to left field, sealing the victory for San Francisco.
The Giants' victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to capitalize on late-game opportunities. Flores’ home run was particularly impressive, coming on the 11th pitch of his at-bat against Gibaut. This marked a significant moment for the Giants, who had been struggling to find their offensive rhythm before the ninth inning.
Earlier in the game, the Reds had established a solid lead. Candelario opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-out single that brought home Elly De La Cruz. The Reds extended their lead to 3-0 in the third inning when Candelario hit a bases-loaded single, further showcasing his importance in the lineup.
On the mound, Hunter Greene pitched a commendable game for the Reds, striking out eight batters over five innings and allowing only two runs. The Reds pitching staff combined for a staggering 17 strikeouts, demonstrating their dominance throughout the game, despite the heartbreaking loss.
Heliot Ramos provided a spark for the Giants in the fourth inning, hitting a two-run homer that cut the Reds’ lead to 3-2. This was a crucial moment in the game, as it shifted momentum back toward San Francisco and set the stage for the late-game heroics.
After the game, Francona expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic about his team’s future. “It better not deflate us too much,” he said. “It’s no fun losing anyway. Losing late is hard. If that’s too much for us, I’ve got the wrong read on our guys.”
The Reds are now 0-4 against the Giants on Opening Day, a statistic that adds to the pressure as they look to rebound in their next matchup. Candelario’s performance, along with Greene’s strong outing, gives fans hope for the season ahead, despite the tough loss.
Looking ahead, the Reds will face the Giants again on Saturday, March 29, 2025, with lefty Nick Lodolo set to take the mound against veteran right-hander Justin Verlander, who will make his debut with San Francisco. Fans are eager to see how the Reds will respond after this disappointing opener and whether they can turn the tide against the Giants.
As the season progresses, the Reds will need to build on their strengths while addressing the weaknesses that led to this Opening Day defeat. With a talented roster and the leadership of Francona, there’s plenty of reason for optimism as they aim to bounce back in the coming games.
