In a thrilling matchup on Monday night, April 7, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds triumphed over the San Francisco Giants with a score of 2-0, halting the Giants' impressive seven-game winning streak. Hunter Greene showcased his pitching prowess, coming within one out of a complete game in a classic duel against fellow All-Star Logan Webb.
Greene, who has been a standout for the Reds, delivered a stellar performance, allowing just four hits while striking out seven and walking one. After 104 pitches, he was pulled with two outs in the ninth inning, having effectively silenced the Giants' offense. "He was throwing 100 in the ninth," Giants manager Bob Melvin remarked. "Really I think it was the slider today that was even better than the last time we saw it." Greene's only complete game came during his rookie season in 2022 when he threw a seven-inning shutout against Arizona in a rain-shortened game.
Logan Webb also pitched brilliantly, striking out ten batters and allowing only four hits without issuing a walk during his seven innings on the mound. His performance marked the eighth time he has recorded double-digit strikeouts, a feat he hadn't achieved since July 9, 2023. Despite the loss, Webb remained optimistic, stating, "We’re playing great baseball. Tonight sucked — that we lost... But guys are excited to get back out there tomorrow."
The game was tightly contested, with both pitchers dominating early on. The Reds had a chance to score in the second inning, but a pickoff attempt by Webb thwarted their efforts as LaMonte Wade Jr. made a perfect throw to the plate, catching Jeimer Candelario sliding home.
The turning point came in the eighth inning when the Reds finally broke the scoreless tie. With two outs and the bases loaded, Blake Dunn hit a sharp two-run double off reliever Erik Miller, sending Spencer Steer and Jacob Hurtubise home. Dunn's timely hit was the only hit of the inning, but it proved crucial in securing the Reds' victory.
Giants reliever Camilo Doval, who had shown promise earlier in the season, faced a challenging inning that ultimately cost the Giants the game. Doval walked Spencer Steer to lead off the eighth and then hit Jacob Hurtubise with a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt advanced the runners, Doval was pulled in favor of Miller, who couldn't contain the Reds' attack. Doval's ERA now sits at 5.06, a stark contrast to his earlier performances where he had not allowed a base-runner in his first three outings of the season.
Despite the defeat, the Giants had their moments. Jung Hoo Lee nearly sparked a late rally with a two-out single in the ninth, followed by a walk to Matt Chapman. However, Tony Santillan, who entered the game to close, managed to secure the win for the Reds by getting Heliot Ramos to line out to left field, ending the game.
Attendance for the game was 30,138 at Oracle Park, a testament to the excitement surrounding both teams. With the Reds' victory, they move forward with momentum as they prepare for the next matchup against the Giants.
Looking ahead, the Reds will send left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo to the mound for Tuesday night's game, boasting an impressive 1.42 ERA this season. He will face Giants right-hander Landon Roupp, who is still seeking his first win of the season with a 6.75 ERA. Fans are eager to see if the Reds can continue their winning ways against a Giants team looking to bounce back from this disappointing loss.
As the season progresses, both teams remain in the thick of the competition, and this matchup has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting series. With Greene's dominating performance and Dunn's clutch hitting, the Reds have proven they can compete with the best, while the Giants will be looking to regroup and regain their winning form.
