Adam Duvall was a trade chip for the Giants in 2015 in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds that brought Mike Leake to San Francisco in an attempt to upgrade a roster aiming to make a run toward the postseason.
Though the Giants came close to securing a playoff spot, they ultimately fell short in 2015. Meanwhile, with an opportunity to start every day in a hitter-friendly ballpark, Duvall blossomed in 2016, making the National League All-Star team and slugging 33 home runs en route to 103 runs batted in.
And on Wednesday, he burned his former team, hitting a three-run home run in the first to cap a four-run inning that keyed the Reds’ 6-3 win over the Giants in their series finale. The win was the Reds’ first of the series, and prevented them from getting swept.
The Giants quickly answered back in the bottom of the first, but were unable to match the Reds’ output, partially due to an incredible catch from Duvall on the warning track. The catch made what would otherwise have been at least a double for Pablo Sandoval a sacrifice fly instead, and the Giants were limited to two runs in the inning.
Brandon Belt scored what would prove to be the Giants’ final run of the game on a solo shot to right in the third, marking his fifth straight game with a home run against the Reds.
The Reds added on with a controversial rally in the fifth. Joey Votto walked after his groundout to first was called back, as the umpires decided Votto had hit the ball off of himself. Based on the replay, the ball seemed to miss Votto, but the play was not reviewable. Duvall then hit a bloop single to right, moving Votto to third. Votto then scored on a passed ball by Nick Hundley.
The Reds produced their final run the following inning, when Scooter Gennett hit a very non-controversial solo home run to right field.
The Giants offense threatened in several innings, including the sixth, when they loaded the bases with one out. They were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, however, as Austin Jackson struck out and Gennett made another incredible play on a pop fly by Gorkys Hernandez.
The Giants outhit the Reds 12-9, but left nine runners on base, compared to four for the Reds. San Francisco begins a four-game series with the Colorado Rockies Thursday at AT&T Park.
