Williams: On Opening Day, the Reds overall didn't play like the 2024 Reds. Then they needed one more out, a tough reminder their margin remains thin.

Wilmer Flores was never himself last season. Thursday, that faith was rewarded in the form of a go-ahead, three-run home run that delivered a 6-4 Opening Day win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. One game does not make a season, but if for just a day, San Francisco's conviction in Flores is paying dividends. “He's built for those moments,” said left fielder Heliot Ramos, the Giants' 19th consecutive Opening Day outfielder in the last 19 years.

Heliot Ramos became the 19th player to start in left field for the San Francisco Giants over the past 19 season openers, and the move paid off when he homered against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. In the fourth inning, Ramos got to a full count against Reds starter Hunter Greene and then fouled off five straight pitches before lofting a two-run homer to right field, cutting the Giants' deficit to 3-2.

Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants opened his sophomore campaign in the majors by scoring twice in his team's victory. Batting from the No. 3 spot, Lee went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts but also drew two walks and scored two runs as the Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Thursday. The 2025 season officially began March 18 with a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs on March 18, but the 28 other clubs had their Opening Day on Thursday. Lee struck out swinging against starter Hunter Greene in the top of the first but drew his first walk with one out in the fourth.

Only one thing will make the San Francisco Giants' 2025 season a success. Of course, a winning season and the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2021 would be nice, but this Giants' season will be appropriately judged strictly by the conversation around the team. If in two, four, and six months we're talking about the Giants on the field—and not the former player at the helm of the front office or the future players in the farm system—you can consider this season a victory. Perhaps Thursday's season opener in Cincinnati is a step in the right direction towards that.

Only one thing will make the San Francisco Giants' 2025 season a success. Of course, a winning season and the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2021 would be nice, but this Giants' season will be appropriately judged strictly by the conversation around the team. If in two, four, and six months we're talking about the Giants on the field—and not the former player at the helm of the front office or the future players in the farm system—you can consider this season a victory. Perhaps Thursday's season opener in Cincinnati is a step in the right direction towards that.

Terry Francona: "I do what I think's right. Answer questions. And then be confident enough to move on. And not run to see how I'm being perceived."

SPORTS Reds face the Giants for Opening Day, see photos Cara Owsley Sam Greene Phil Didion San Francisco Giants third base Matt Chapman (26) celebrates after making a run in the 9th inning over the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Giants won 6-4. Cara Owsley/The Enquirer Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) removes the hat of Cincinnati Reds shortstop Matt McLain (9) during the pregame ceremonies on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park Thursday, March 27, 2025. Cara Owsley/The Enquirer Cincinnati Reds fans cheer as Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (27) makes a catch in the outfield against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day

Terry Francona's decision to use Ian Gibaut in the 9th inning on Opening Day was second-guessed by Reds' fans on social media.

Wilmer Flores hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, and the San Francisco Giants rallied for a 6-4 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday, spoiling Terry Francona’s debut as Reds manager. The Giants scored four runs in the ninth off Ian Gibaut (0-1).

Heliot Ramos became the 19th player to start in left field for the San Francisco Giants over the past 19 season openers, and the move paid off when he homered against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. In the fourth inning, Ramos worked the count to 3-2 against Reds starter Hunter Greene and then fouled off five straight pitches before lofting a two-run homer to right field, cutting the Giants' deficit to 3-2.

CINCINNATI — Advertisement After months of anticipation, Opening Day in Cincinnati has finally arrived with the Reds taking on the San Francisco Giants Thursday at Great American Ball Park. In addition to the game, thousands of fans went downtown to celebrate the return of baseball during the Opening Day Parade See the gallery above for some of the best photos from Thursday's festivities.

The San Francisco Giants have been swapping left fielders on Opening Day for nearly two decades now.

Buster Posey experienced his share of nervous energy before his 10 opening day starts as the San Francisco Giants' catcher. Posey admitted before the Giants faced the Cincinnati Reds that he has a sense of calm as he goes into his first season calling the shots as president of baseball operations. “I don’t have near the butterflies I had as a player,” said Posey, who turned 38 on Thursday.

Barry Larkin: "Francona talked about not making outs on the bases. That's probably an out that we did not need to make on the bases right there."

Barry Larkin on Hunter Greene: "He just trusts himself. He knows who he is. ... And he is not playing around."

Earlier in the day, former Reds infielder Chris Sabo was the grand marshal of the Findlay Market Opening Day parade.

The Great American Ball Park crowd came to its feet as Terry Francona was introduced before his first Opening Day as the Reds' manager.

Hays, an AL All-Star in 2023 while with the Baltimore Orioles, returned for the postseason but went hitless with three strikeouts in four at-bats for the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS against the Mets.

Buster Posey seldom took in the sights and sounds of the 10 Opening Days he experienced during his playing days. For his first Opening Day as the Giants' president of baseball operations, Posey plans to fully enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the afternoon. “I was telling (Bob Melvin) just a minute ago that I'll probably go up in the booth pretty early and just take in the pageantry of Opening Day,” Posey said Thursday before the Giants' opener in Cincinnati. The Giants enter their first regular season under Posey and general manager Zack Minasian's leadership after being baseball's best team during spring training.