By Morris Phillips

Given the early season statistical numbers, it wasn’t a surprise that Brandon Crawford’s home run off Cincinnati’s JC Ramirez stood as the game-winner on Monday night.

So far in 2016, the Reds’ inexperienced bullpen has sprung leaks in multiple spots, allowing 22 home runs in 26 games, the most allowed by any big league team’s relievers by a large margin. Meanwhile, the Giants have proven to be a more than capable power hitting team, hitting 28 jacks in 27 games. Throw in the historically, homer-friendly nature of Great American Ballpark, and the decisive scenario of Crawford batting against Ramirez in the seventh inning with two runners aboard, and the Giants trailing 6-5 was set.

To that point, Monday’s game already stood as an offensive showcase with the Giants scoring three runs in the second, only to see the Reds respond with six runs in the third, ruining what would have been a nice return to Cincinnati for the Giants’ $100-million-dollar man, Johnny Cueto.

With two runs already in, Crawford stepped up and deposited Ramirez’ 2-1 pitch three rows beyond the right center field wall, giving the Giants lead again on their way to a 9-6 win.

The Giants’ won for the second straight day, after dropping the first two games of a six-game road trip, and moved into first place in the NL West, despite their very modest 14-13 won-loss record.

Crawford had been scuffling prior to his big at-bat, hitting around .200 over his previous 18 games, and struggling when given opportunities to knock in a run or two. But Ramirez’ breaking ball hung, and Crawford pounced.

“I’ve gotten a few RBIs through ground outs or sacrifice flies, but getting a hit in that situation is always a lot better,” Crawford said.

The Giants’ shortstop finished the night’s scoring in the ninth, knocking in an insurance run, giving him four RBI on the night. Brandon Belt had three of the team’s 14 hits, and scored twice.

Manager Bruce Bochy got contributions from most of the 25 guys available, as Mac Williamson replaced the injured Angel Pagan in left, and gave way to Gregor Blanco in the sixth in a double switch. Kelby Tomlinson started at second, giving Joe Panik a rare day off, and four relievers followed Cueto, allowing the Reds just one hit.

Cueto pitched eight seasons in Cincinnati, and was greeted warmly by the smallish crowd. That reception transitioned nicely into the pitcher’s infield single that knocked in a pair of runs in the Giants three-run third inning. But the reception turned rough in the third when Cueto was touched for a three-run homer from Joey Votto, followed by a run-scoring triple off the bat of Jay Bruce.

But throughout, the veteran remained composed, barely blinking when Votto’s shot cleared the wall. It must have been Cueto’s familiarity with the Great American Ballpark situation, where runs have traditionally been scored in bunches. Not surprisingly, Cueto followed the six-run third with a pair of scoreless frames to keep the Giants within reach.

Reds’ starter Brandon Finnegan put up four scoreless frames after the Giants took their early 3-0 lead, and seemed poised for a win. But Ramirez relieved Finnegan, and could record just one out before surrendering the home run to Crawford. It was the first home run this season allowed by Ramirez, but the Reds’ bullpen has allowed at least one run in 20 consecutive ballgames, an embarrassing feat achieved just once since 1913 at the major league level.

The Giants resume their series in Cincinnati on Tuesday as Jeff Samardzjia faces the Reds’ John Moscot. Moscot suffered shoulder discomfort in his previous start, so his participation isn’t assured. The team said that Moscot will be re-evaluated in pre-game warmups before being allowed to pitch.