It was 35 minutes of pain. Thirty-five minutes where the Cincinnati Reds reached the low point in their 2021 season.
The San Francisco Giants scored nine runs on six hits and three walks in the top of the third inning. The Reds needed three pitchers to record three outs. The only cheers from the crowd of 11,656 at Great American Ball Park were of the sarcastic variety after it took eight batters before the first out of the inning.
Who knew a sunny, 87-degree afternoon at the ballpark could look so dark?
The Reds were swept in their four-game series against the Giants this week after their 19-4 loss Thursday. It was the first time the Giants swept the Reds in a series of any length in Cincinnati since 1999 and the first four-game series sweep since May 12-15, 1985.
It was the most runs the Reds have allowed in a game at GABP since the ballpark opened in 2003 and the most runs allowed in a home game since a 19-5 loss to the Montreal Expos on May 7, 1978.
San Francisco has the best record in the Majors this year, but the Reds were outplayed in all phases this week. Their defense let them down in a loss Monday with two errors and a few other misplays. Their offense scored six runs in their four losses in their home ballpark. Their pitching imploded in the third inning Thursday. They had outs on the basepaths.
