Sal Stewart home run proves decisive for Reds vs. Giants

Q: What was the final score of the Reds vs. Giants game on April 14, 2026?

The final score was 2-1 in favor of the Cincinnati Reds.

Q: Who hit the decisive home run for the Reds against the Giants?

Sal Stewart hit the decisive home run for the Reds.

Q: How did the Reds' offensive performance compare to the Giants in the April 14 game?

The Reds were out-hit 7-3 by the Giants but still managed to win the game.

Q: What were the batting averages of the Reds and Giants before the April 14 game?

Before the game, the Reds had a batting average of .203, while the Giants had a batting average of .242.

The Cincinnati Reds' series-opening win against the San Francisco Giants took a familiar form: Good pitching and just enough hitting.

Entering the April 14 game at Great American Ball Park, the Reds and Giants were both hurting for offense. Cincinnati was tied for the second-fewest runs scored in baseball while the Giants had the fewest. The Reds also had the second-lowest batting average in baseball (.203), although the Giants were at least hitting .242 on the young season.

All those metrics seemed to hold true as the Reds were out-hit, 7-3, but won the game, 2-1.

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) hits a solo home run in the third inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)

More: 'New Rece': Hinds wants to bring his hot hitting in Triple-A to Reds

Cincinnati improved to 10-7 overall and 2-2 on the current homestand while the Giants dropped to 6-11. The three-game series continues April 15 at Great American Ball Park (6:40 p.m.) with Cincinnati's Rhett Lowder (1-1, 3.31 ERA) expected to face San Francisco's Tyler Mahle (0-2, 4.30 ERA).

All of Cincinnati's offense came via the home run. Spencer Steer broke a scoreless tie in the third inning on a 401-foot shot to left-center field and Sal Stewart doubled Cincinnati's lead an inning later with a 390-foot blast to right-center. The homers were the second and fifth of the year for Steer and Stewart, respectively.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) fields a ground ball before tagging first for an out in the sixth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

(Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)

Officially recalled prior to the game, Rece Hinds started in right field and hit in the sixth in Cincinnati's batting order. For the night, the hot hitting he exhibited in Triple-A didn't carry over to the big leagues as he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

Reds starter Brady Singer didn't allow a walk and scattered six hit over six innings. The Giants' lone run came via a thunderous solo home run to the left field bleachers by Willy Adames that carried 386 feet.

In the sixth inning, Singer took a bouncing come-backer off the outside of his right foot, but the ball caromed almost perfectly to Stewart for the out at first base. After some warmup tosses with manager Terry Francona standing on the field, Singer would finish out the sixth inning.

From there, Graham Ashcraft, Tony Santillan and Emilio Pagán took the Reds the rest of the way on the mound. Pagán's save was his sixth of the season.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) is tagged out by San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez (1) attempting to steal second in the first inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) fields a ground ball in the fourth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds right fielder Rece Hinds (57) catches a fly ball in the fifth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) embraces San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnación (19) after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) turns a double play as Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) slides into second in the fifth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer (51) prepares to pitch in the sixth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona walks back to the dugout after checking on Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer (51) in the sixth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) fields a ground ball hit by San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (17) before throwing him out in the sixth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Caleb Kilian (45) pitches in the sixth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) hits a base hit in the sixth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer (51) checks on San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) at first base in the first inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) holds up his glove as San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) is called out after attempting to steal second base in the first inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray (38) prepares to pitch in the first inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray (38) pitches in the first inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants center fielder Jared Oliva (56) catches a fly ball for an out in the first inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) throws to first to get San Francisco Giants designated hitter Casey Schmitt (10) out in the second inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (17) breaks his bat before being thrown out at first in the second inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brady Singer (51) delivers a pitch in the third inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) throws to first for an out in the third inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

1 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

1 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

2 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

3 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

4 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

5 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

6 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

7 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

8 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

9 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

10 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

San Francisco Giants pitcher Caleb Kilian (45) pitches in the sixth inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

11 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

12 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

13 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

14 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

15 / 22

Cincinnati Reds host San Francisco Giants | Photos from April 14

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray (38) pitches in the first inning between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball in Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.