Giants at Reds
Prized prospect Nick Senzel reached base three times in his major-league debut and looks to build off that effort when the Cincinnati Reds host the San Francisco Giants on Saturday for the second contest of their four-game series. The 23-year-old Senzel recorded an infield hit in five at-bats and also walked twice, but the Reds let an eight-run lead get away on Friday and lost 12-11 in 11 innings.
Senzel is rated as Cincinnati's top prospect and the fifth-best in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and the club is ready to give him a long look. "He's here for a reason," Reds manager David Bell told reporters. "He's talented. He has a great competitive edge. He's a good athlete. Just be yourself. By Nick being himself, he adds a lot to this team. He'll contribute a lot - not only immediately, but for a long time to come." Evan Longoria went 3-for-5 for the Giants, hitting a tiebreaking homer in the 11th inning - his first blast since April 23. Steven Duggar recorded his second straight three-hit performance while registering three RBIs in Friday's win.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Dereck Rodriguez (3-3, 4.35 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tanner Roark (1-1, 4.08)
Rodriguez pitched a season-low three innings while losing to the New York Yankees in his last turn as he gave up six runs - four earned - and seven hits. The 26-year-old issued a season-high four walks in the short outing after handing out just five free passes in 28 frames entering the contest. Rodriguez has posted a 2.87 ERA and 1.02 WHIP while winning all three of his road starts this year.
Roark also struggled in his last turn as he gave up season worsts of four runs and four walks while lasting just 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the New York Mets. The 32-year-old hasn't lasted more than 5 1/3 frames in any of his six starts and has recorded a shaky 1.67 WHIP. Roark is 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA in eight career appearances (five starts) against the Giants and has struggled with Buster Posey (7-for-17, three doubles).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants designated OF Gerardo Parra for assignment and placed C Erik Kratz (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list while recalling RHP Tyler Beede - who was pounded for eight runs in 2 1/3 innings on Friday - and OF Mike Gerber from Triple-A Sacramento.
2. Cincinnati 2B Derek Dietrich went 3-for-4 with two homers and a career-high six RBIs in the series opener.
3. San Francisco C Stephen Vogt was 3-for-3 - including a game-tying homer in the ninth - with two RBIs and three runs scored on Friday in his season debut.