The Giants, who were victorious in Pittsburgh last weekend, kept the momentum going in the first two games of the series against the Reds. Despite the seemingly unpredictable weather in Cincinnati, they managed to grind out two victories.

Wilmer Flores’ fingerprints were all over the series, playing above-average defense at first base and raking the ball. In the four-game series, he went seven-for-fifteen, four home runs and two doubles. In the month of July, he’s hitting .417 with .750 slugging. 

Ross Stripling gave the Giants a strong six innings on Wednesday but didn’t get enough run support in the end. The only time he got into any legitimate trouble was in the third inning, where he allowed the seven, eight, and nine hitters in the Reds lineup to string together three hits, the last being a three-run homer to Will Benson. It proved to be the difference in the game. 

In the last two games, the Giants, especially on the offensive side of things, have slowed down. The Giants had chances at the plate on Wednesday but failed to take advantage of some situations. The second inning was led off brilliantly by Luis Matos, who hit a double to left field. Then, Blake Sabol reached first after he hit it off pitcher Graham Ashcraft, making it first and third with no outs. David Villar came up empty and struck out. Then, Brett Wisely also struck out, which also turned into a strike him out, throw him out for the Reds, in what appeared to be a hit-and-run put on by the Giants. Subsequently, in the fifth inning, the Giants had bases loaded and no outs but only managed to scrap together one run in the inning. 

Once Alex Cobb gave up the lead on Thursday, the offense couldn’t get going due to a superb performance from Reds rookie starter Andrew Abbott who pitched a full eight innings without allowing a run. The only run scored for the Giants was thanks to, who else, Wilmer Flores, who hit a solo shot in the ninth inning as a last-ditch effort.