Frustration is mounting for the San Francisco Giants as they prepare for Thursday afternoon's game against the Cincinnati Reds, hoping to avoid being swept in their three-game series. The Giants are on a four-game losing streak, following a disappointing 8-3 defeat on Wednesday that saw another quiet night at the plate. Over the course of their skid, San Francisco has been outscored 22-8.

Cincinnati's offensive explosion was fueled by four home runs. Rookie Sal Stewart delivered two three-run homers, while Eugenio Suarez and Elly De La Cruz each hit solo shots. Stewart, who has now hit three homers in his last two games, downplayed his performance after the game. The 22-year-old leads all rookies with seven home runs.

"I'm happy I had a good day today, but the game is over now," Stewart said. "I'll enjoy it tonight, but tomorrow we've got to come out here and look for the sweep."

Rafael Devers, who had two hits for San Francisco on Wednesday, showed his frustration after striking out to begin the second inning. Devers slammed his bat, breaking it on his way back to the dugout. San Francisco manager Tony Vitello acknowledged the buildup of frustration.

"I think it's a buildup," Vitello said. "I just think it's a guy that's capable any week of a major league season being the best hitter on the planet for that given week, and maybe even a more extended period. So, when it's not going well for his teammates and not going well for himself, the frustration mounts a little bit."

The Giants have struggled mightily with power this season, ranking last in the majors with just nine home runs. Wednesday's loss marked their 11th defeat in 12 games when scoring three or fewer runs.

In an effort to shake things up, San Francisco made a move in the outfield prior to Wednesday's game, placing Harrison Bader and Jared Oliva on the injured list. Will Brennan and Drew Gilbert were called up from Triple-A Sacramento and immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Oliva is dealing with a fractured left wrist, while Bader, who has struggled with a .115 batting average and one home run, is nursing a left hamstring strain.

"I think just a reset of everything and kicking all of that discomfort out of there will put me in a really good spot to just come back and be the version I know I can be on that field," Bader said.

Thursday’s series finale will feature a matchup of right-handers, with Cincinnati’s Chase Burns (1-1, 3.31 ERA) facing San Francisco’s Landen Roupp (2-1, 3.24 ERA). Burns, 23, is coming off a rough outing last Friday, where he allowed five runs, seven hits, and four walks in just 5 1/3 innings during a 10-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

"Just a combination of things," Burns said. "Maybe overthrowing. Just not being able to locate up and in to some guys. When you get it low, mid-thigh, and they can time up a heater, that's what happens."

Burns will make his first career appearance against the Giants in the finale.

On the mound for the Giants will be Roupp, who rebounded from a tough outing earlier in April. Roupp, 27, allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 6-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Roupp will make his second career start against Cincinnati, having pitched six innings of one-run ball in a 1-0 home loss to the Reds on April 8, 2025.

With a win Thursday, the Giants will look to avoid a sweep and get back on track as the season rolls on.

-Field Level Media/Reuters