The Cincinnati Reds faced a tough loss against the San Francisco Giants, falling 8-6 in the bottom of the 10th inning. The pivotal moment came when Mike Yastrzemski hit a walk-off homer off reliever Emilio Pagan, despite Reds analyst Jeff Brantley suggesting a walk to avoid facing him. Reds manager Terry Francona defended the decision, citing Pagan's historical success against Yastrzemski and the low chance of a double play despite the risk of runners advancing on the first pitch.

The Cincinnati Reds fell short of a series sweep against the San Francisco Giants, losing 8-6 in a ten-inning thriller at Oracle Park. After leading by five runs, the Reds' lead evaporated as the Giants rallied back, highlighted by Mike Yastrzemski's walk-off two-run homer in the 10th, marking the 106th splash hit in McCovey Cove history. Despite a strong start, Reds' manager Terry Francona lamented the inability to maintain their lead.

Nick Martinez had a solid start but struggled late, allowing four earned runs in 5.2 innings. The Reds built an early 5-0 lead in the third inning, propelled by key hits from Elly De La Cruz and Gavin Lux. However, the Giants' offense finally awoke, tying the game in the eighth before sealing the victory, leading to a mixed bag of emotions as the Reds head into their next series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Vanderbilt baseball continues to showcase its prowess in producing MLB talent, with 11 former players making the cut for the 2025 opening day rosters, tying for first among SEC schools. Notable names include veteran Sonny Gray, who will lead the St. Louis Cardinals, and rising stars Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, both key members of the Texas Rangers' rotation.

Rocker, the 10th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, bounced back from Tommy John surgery to post a solid 3.86 ERA in three starts during his debut season in 2024. Leiter, selected second overall the same year, aligns with Rocker as the duo aims to solidify their roles. The exceptional performance of Vanderbilt alums like Bryan Reynolds and Dansby Swanson also highlights the Commodores' impact in the league, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in collegiate baseball.

The San Francisco Giants are actively shaping their roster as spring training progresses, with key position battles heating up. Manager Bob Melvin hinted at a possible Opening Day lineup during a recent exhibition against the Chicago White Sox, featuring LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base and Matt Chapman at third. With veteran Justin Verlander on the mound, the projected lineup, which includes Jung Hoo Lee and Mike Yastrzemski, showed promise with four home runs in a 7-3 victory. Verlander expressed excitement over seeing the team gel, emphasizing the importance of players finding their rhythm in their respective spots.

The pitching staff showcased strong control, a vital improvement over last year’s performance, as they continue to refine their approach leading into the start of the regular season.

San Francisco Giants fans hoping for a Corbin Burnes jersey this holiday may be disappointed. ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Burnes, alongside Alex Bregman, is likely to sign after Christmas. The Giants are among several teams interested in Burnes, who boasts an impressive career including four All-Star nods and a Cy Young Award.

Giants president Buster Posey recently met with Burnes' agent, Scott Boras, amidst speculation of a deal. However, Boras is known for prolonging negotiations, which could delay any signing. Meanwhile, the Giants have made significant moves this offseason, including signing shortstop Willy Adames to a franchise-record deal and reaching out to Burnes to encourage him to join the team.