Giants split series with Reds; remain two games out of 1st in NL West

Jul 20, 2023, 1:57 PM

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 20: Casey Schmitt #6 of the San Francisco Giants tags out Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds at second base during a stolen base attempt at Great American Ball Park on July 20, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Sactown Sports

After rattling off seven straight wins, the San Francisco Giants are now in the midst of a losing streak, losing the series finale to the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 and dropping their second loss in a row.

The Reds took an early lead with a two-run home run from Luke Maile in the second inning and never looked back.

Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (5-2) dominated the game, allowing only one run in eight innings. The lone Giants score came in the ninth inning when Wilmer Flores homered with two outs.

Next up are the Washinton Nationals for a three-game series. With the Nationals last in their division and 20 games under .500, the Giants will look to right the ship before returning home to close out the month.

Elly De La Cruz highlights

If you’re playing the Reds, you’re going to be included in some highlights. Luckily, the Giants were on the positive end of one of them.

First, the good. In the bottom of the first inning, Giants catcher Patrick Bailey threw out the Reds rookie as he attempted to steal second base. The 21-year-old infielder for the Reds has stolen 17 bases so far this season. Despite De La Cruz’s speed, it was no match for Bailey’s arm, which has already thrown out 14 attempted base stealers this season.

Patrick Bailey throws out Elly De La Cruz 😱 pic.twitter.com/xyRmTpKy9G

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 20, 2023

On the flip side, the Giants are, for the time being, tied to De La Cruz’s arm.

In the fourth inning, Giants’ centerfielder Luis Matos hit a line driver to left field. As Wilmer Flores attempted to score, De La Cruz was able to catch him at home plate with a 99.8 mph throw, ending the inning. According to MLB.com, “De La Cruz is already tied as the career leader in most 95-plus mph infield assists — four – with the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr.”

After the game, Giants manager Gabe Kapler said he had no issues with the decision to send Flores home.