On Saturday, Matt Chapman led the struggling San Francisco Giants to a 5-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds with a grand slam early in the game.
The Giants had been struggling before this win, having dropped eight of their previous 11 games. They were also having trouble scoring runs; in their previous 15 games, they had averaged fewer than three. But Chapman’s home run against Nick Lodolo in the opening inning altered the course of the game (3-2).
It’s incredibly important, Chapman said. “We’ve been working hard recently, but we’re not performing at our best. Thus, getting out to such an early lead was essential. I think we can improve upon our performance from today.
Chapman came up with two outs and sent the ball over the left-center fence, giving the Giants a decisive 4-0 lead.
In 4 1/3 innings, Mason Black, making his home debut, gave up just one run, giving the lead. In the fourth, he allowed Elly De La Cruz to hit a single home run.
Chapman continued, “It relieves pressure on the team when you have such a lead.” “Having a 4-0 lead gives you a nice cushion, but it doesn’t guarantee a win.”
From there, the Giants bullpen took over, ensuring the victory and handing the Reds their ninth defeat in 10 games.
With two runners on base, Taylor Rogers (1-0) entered the game in the fifth inning.
With the bases loaded, he avoided trouble by getting the win by striking out pinch-hitter Stuart Fairchild.
Heliot Ramos, an outfielder, helped Black out by throwing out two batters who were trying to stretch hits into doubles from right field. Later in the fifth inning, Ramos made a diving grab in left field.
