Giants-Reds opener suspended in 8th after rain delay

July 18th, 2023

CINCINNATI -- The Giants and Reds were speeding along with a brisk series opener at Great American Ball Park on Monday night until an extended rain delay halted everything, including a final score.

After a one-hour, 55-minute delay, the game was suspended in the top of the eighth inning with a 2-2 score. The game will be resumed on Tuesday at 5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 PT, ahead of the regularly scheduled 7:10 p.m. ET/4:10 PT second game of the series.

The Giants had runners on second and third base with one out against reliever Alex Young in the top of the eighth inning when play was stopped. The Reds were about to make a pitching change when the tarp was rolled out.

According to Reds officials, fans holding tickets from Monday's suspended game may present them at the GABP box office for a $5 discount on tickets for Tuesday's game only -- subject to availability and exclusions that apply. Fans who already have tickets to Tuesday's game can watch the conclusion of Monday's game and the regularly scheduled game. Gates are slated to open at 4:40 p.m. ET.

Brandon Williamson became the third Reds pitcher in the past five games to deliver a quality start after giving up two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. Williamson gave up a pair of solo home runs -- to Austin Slater in the third inning and Wilmer Flores in the sixth.

“I felt good. Throwing pretty solid," said Williamson, who struck out three. "I just left a few over the plate and there were hard hits. Other than that, it was a pretty good outing.”

Matt McLain, who was moved from second to third in the lineup after a slump-snapping three-hit game on Sunday, gave the Reds a 1-0 first-inning lead with a two-out homer to right field against Giants starter Logan Webb.

Cincinnati was trailing, 2-1, in the bottom of the seventh when Jonathan India -- who came into the game 3-for-26 since July 6 -- lifted Webb's 0-1 pitch for a two-out solo homer to right field for his third hit of the game.

Webb, who pitched a complete-game shutout last time out, allowed two runs through seven innings. It was his 11th start this season, out of 20, in which he pitched at least seven innings. If the game was not suspended, he likely would've returned for the eighth for the third time this season, as he was only at 86 pitches.

“Our guys were ready and wanted to play today’s game,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said after the suspension. “Unfortunately, the rain continued long enough that they decided to pull the plug.”