Giants fall to Reds 5-4

Giants starter Jeff Samardzija had another rocky first inning against Cincinnati.|

SAN FRANCISCO - Derek Dietrich singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, Eugenio Suarez and Yasiel Puig homered, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Saturday night.

Dietrich hit a two-out flair against Reyes Moranta (1-3) that left fielder Mac Williamson couldn't grab despite a sliding effort, allowing Suarez to score from third to snap a 4-4 tie. Suarez doubled leading off the inning and took third on Moranta's passed ball.

Amir Garrett (2-1) pitched a scoreless sixth for the win. Raisel Iglesias threw a scoreless ninth for his eighth save in 10 tries as the Reds won their third straight game.

Steven Duggar had three hits, including a two-run triple, for the Giants, who have lost three straight and five of seven.

Giants starter Jeff Samardzija had another rocky first inning against Cincinnati a week after allowing three homers on three straight pitches. This time, Puig hit a two-run shot during a three-run first inning.

Samardzija followed with three scoreless innings before being pinch-hit for in the fourth.

Samardzija struck out five, walked three and allowed five hits in a start that typified his season. The 34-year-old righty has given up 11 runs (all earned) in the first inning through eight starts. He has a 1.36 ERA in 33 innings after that.

Evan Longoria hit a solo shot off Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani in the first. San Francisco has been outscored 40-3 in the first inning this season.

Longoria's sixth homer also broke the Reds' streak of 18 consecutive scoreless innings going back to Thursday's 3-0 win against Oakland.

Moves

The Giants claimed OF Aaron Altherr off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. He's expected to join the team Tuesday and will be its fourth outfielder, manager Bruce Bochy said. The Giants designated right-handed pitcher Andrew Moore for assignment in a corresponding move.

Trainer's room

Reds: CF Nick Senzel and LF Jesse Winkler collided trying to field Duggar's one-out single in the sixth. Both players appeared to be shaken up but stayed in the game.

Giants: 1B Brandon Belt, who left Friday's game in the ninth inning with right knee inflammation, has been cleared to play after having an MRI taken Saturday. Belt, whose status remains day-to-day, pinch-hit in the ninth and struck out swinging for the game's last out. ... C Buster Posey (concussion list) played catch on the field Saturday. ... C Erik Kratz (left hamstring strain) was reinstated from the IL. ... LHP Dereck Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.