SAN FRANCISCO — It certainly wasn't expected for Chase Burns to have a rough start for the Reds. They happen, even to All-Star starting pitchers enjoying exceptional seasons. But it was the opponent and the way the Giants got to him in Cincinnati's 5-0 loss on Monday at Oracle Park that was really surprising.
Against a struggling San Francisco club that ranks last in the National League in runs scored, Burns was hit hard and often. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings and tied a season high with five runs allowed while giving up nine hits and one walk with five strikeouts.
“Fastball wasn’t in good spots. They were swinging early," Burns said. "I missed a lot of spots. Slider wasn’t in the zone enough, and they put some good swings on it.”
Burns dropped to 14-3 while the outing raised his ERA from 2.51 to 2.77 in 25 starts this season.
San Francisco entered the night losers of four straight games. Since July 31, the Giants had averaged a Major League-worst 2.95 runs per game while losing 16 of 21.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Giants pounced immediately on Burns as their first four batters reached with hits – three of them over 100 mph in exit velocity – to take a quick 2-0 lead. Drew Gilbert hit a ground-rule double to lead off the rally with singles from Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee. Turner Hill added an RBI double before Lee was thrown out at the plate for the first out.
“You don’t see that very often against him," manager Terry Francona said. "We probably caught a break. They got a little aggressive sending their runners, or it might have been worse.”
With two outs in the second inning, No. 9 batter Christian Koss hit a single to right field before Gilbert lofted a softly hit double near the foul line in short left field. That set up Devers, who hit a 2-2 fastball at 108.9 mph to right-center field for a three-run homer and a 5-0 Giants lead.
Burns worked around a leadoff walk in a scoreless bottom of the third inning, but the fourth inning began with Grant McCray's sharply hit double through the gap in right-center field. Koss followed with a comebacker that Burns couldn't field for a single before Gilbert grounded into a double play at second base.
With Devers up, Francona emerged from the dugout and made the pitching change to lefty reliever Sam Moll, who got a routine grounder to second base that ended the inning.
Burns' innings load – 139 2/3, a career-high for him at any professional level – was the main factor for Francona's early hook in a losing effort.
“Once I thought we could get through the game and not have it affect tomorrow, that’s when I went and got him," Francona said.
Overall, the Giants had eight hard-hit balls against Burns, which was tied for third-most in his brief career.
Foiled in his bid for a 15th win this season, Burns has given up five earned runs four times this season, but twice in his last four starts.
Meanwhile, the Reds (62-70) have dropped four of their last five games and eight of the last 11. In two of their last four games, they've been shut out. As Burns was knocked around, it was an equally unpleasant night for the Cincinnati lineup, which managed five hits – all singles – while being shut out by a combined six pitchers. This despite Giants starter Carson Whisenhunt departing after only 2 2/3 innings with left elbow pain. The shutout loss was their 14th of the season, tied with the Pirates for the most in the Majors.
“We didn’t take advantage of them losing their starter,” Francona said. "We never were able to break through to anybody. We started following guys around instead of getting stubborn.”
For the Reds and Burns, it was a missed opportunity to improve numbers and their record as the Giants will be the last non-contending team they will see for a while. Cincinnati — owners of the hardest remaining schedule by opponents' win percentage — is slated to play 25 consecutive games against teams currently in playoff position after the Giants series ends.
If the rotation holds without changes, Burns' upcoming starts include his facing the Cubs, the Brewers twice, the Dodgers and the Braves.
“I throw in six days [at Chicago], and we’ll lock back in and bounce right back," Burns said. “I hold myself to a high standard. I’m fortunate enough to take the ball every day, and I’m blessed to go out there and throw and give 110 percent. Tonight wasn’t my best night, but I’ll bounce back.”