Giants pitcher Erik Miller shouted at Reds rookie Sal Stewart during a tense game, leading to a benches-clearing incident. Miller later explained that his emotions got the best of him and that it wasn't personal.
Key points
Erik Miller screamed at Sal Stewart during a game.
The incident led to benches clearing.
Connor Phillips was ejected for hitting a Giants player.
Miller explained his emotions got the best of him.
There was prior tension between the teams.
San Francisco GiantsCincinnati RedsErik MillerSal Stewart
The Cincinnati Reds' series finale against the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park ended with Giants relief pitcher Erik Miller screaming at Reds rookie Sal Stewart to "sit the f--- down" after a strikeout, before benches cleared and the two were separated.
Miller had never faced Stewart, but tension between the teams had built earlier in the game and the series.
"I was just fired up, probably let the emotions get the best of me," Miller told reporters after the April 16 game. "I'm not trying to like direct anything specifically at him. I have no problem with him. I just said a sentence that most hitters probably don't like to hear, so I can understand why he was upset. It was just more of like I was really fired up. It wasn't anything personal. I don't have anything against Stewart. It's (just) he happened to be the guy at the plate."
Q&A
What did Erik Miller say to Sal Stewart during the game?
Erik Miller screamed at Sal Stewart to 'sit the f--- down' after striking him out.
What caused the benches to clear during the Giants vs. Reds game?
Tensions had built throughout the game, culminating in Miller's outburst at Stewart, which led to both teams clearing their benches.
Who was ejected from the game and why?
Reds pitcher Connor Phillips was ejected for hitting Giants player Willy Adames with a pitch.
What did Erik Miller say about his confrontation with Sal Stewart?
Miller stated that he was fired up and didn't mean anything personal towards Stewart, acknowledging that his comment was likely upsetting to hitters.
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What to know about Miller:
Erik Miller said Cincinnati drama spurred the Giants to win.
"I don't think it's a coincidence that we played well," Miller said after the game. "Any time you kind of feel like you're all - something like that generally I feel like makes people (feel like) you're going towards one goal. Like there's one thing you're focused on. And it's like staying together, or sticking up for some guy. Or you feel wronged by something and you want to stick up for it. That generally leads to more kind of togetherness. And I don't think it's a coincidence that you end up playing a lot better a lot of times. That's obviously not like something that's sustainable, and you can ride that the whole time. But if that's something you need like a spark to get going, that's great for us."
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) is caught stealing and tagged out by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
San Francisco Giants center fielder Drew Gilbert (0) catches a fly ball off the bat of Matt McClain in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke'bryan Hayes (3) catches a pop up off the bat of San Francisco Giants right fielder Will Brennan (7) in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) throws a pitch in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds bench coach/field coordinator Freddie Benavides (45) and manager Terry Francona (77) look on from the dugout in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
San Francisco Giants center fielder Drew Gilbert (0) is forced out by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) on a double play in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Umpire Junior Valentine (25) exchanges words with the Giants dugout after the top of the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Umpire Junior Valentine (25) exchanges words with the Giants dugout after the top of the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Storm clouds pass through the Ohio River valley during the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) fields a ground ball off the bat of San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) catches a pop up off the bat of Sal Stewart in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) catches a pop up off the bat of Eugenio Suárez in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
1 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
1 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
2 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) is caught stealing and tagged out by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
3 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
4 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
San Francisco Giants center fielder Drew Gilbert (0) catches a fly ball off the bat of Matt McClain in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
5 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke'bryan Hayes (3) catches a pop up off the bat of San Francisco Giants right fielder Will Brennan (7) in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
6 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns (26) throws a pitch in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
7 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Cincinnati Reds bench coach/field coordinator Freddie Benavides (45) and manager Terry Francona (77) look on from the dugout in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
8 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
San Francisco Giants center fielder Drew Gilbert (0) is forced out by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) on a double play in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
9 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Umpire Junior Valentine (25) exchanges words with the Giants dugout after the top of the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
10 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Umpire Junior Valentine (25) exchanges words with the Giants dugout after the top of the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
11 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Storm clouds pass through the Ohio River valley during the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
12 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) fields a ground ball off the bat of San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
13 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) catches a pop up off the bat of Sal Stewart in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
14 / 14
The Reds and Giants wrap up their series. Check out these photos
San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (16) catches a pop up off the bat of Eugenio Suárez in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Miller struck out three of the four batters he faced in his only inning, and recorded his first MLB save, in his 116th big-league appearance.
Erik Miller once allowed a pinch-hit, inside-the-park homer against the Reds.
Miller has allowed one earned run in eight career appearances against Cincinnati. He's walked seven and struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings.
In the eighth inning of the Giants' 4-2 loss in San Francisco in May 2024, Miller allowed a pinch-hit, inside-the-park home run to former Red Stuart Fairchild.
Miller had walked Steer one batter earlier, but then Steer was caught stealing. Fairchild's solo homer gave the Reds a 4-2 lead.
It's one of just seven homers Miller has given up in three MLB seasons, and the only one of the inside-the-park variety.
The Reds had claimed Fairchild off waivers from the Giants two years earlier.
The Reds and Giants play again in August, in San Francisco.
The Reds travel to the Bay Area for a three-game series August 24-26.
It's the only other time the two teams are scheduled to meet during the 2026 season.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Erik Miller said screaming at the Reds' Sal Stewart after the final out was not personal.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Erik Miller said screaming at the Reds' Sal Stewart after the final out was not personal.
The Reds won two of three games of the series with the Giants.
Cincinnati split six games with San Francisco in 2025, losing two of three at GABP in March but winning two of three on the road several days later.
