Buster Posey Powers Giants Over Tony Cingrani

Tony Cingrani pitched shutout baseball in his first seven innings of camp.

Buster Posey ended that with a three-run home run after the Reds built a 3-0 lead to lead the Giants to an 8-5 victory over the Reds.

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Cingrani allowed six runs in 3 2/3 innings on eight hits.  Five of those hits were for extra bases and two of those were home runs.

Ehire Adrianza hit the other.

Posey's blast came in the third.

"It was a pretty good change-up but maybe my arm speed was too slow," Cingrani said.  "I was pretty strong the first two innings."

Cingrani is working a slider and change-up to go along with his fastball which he used more than any pitcher in baseball except C.C. Sabbathia.

Cingrani is a guy working on a breaking ball and his and change-up," Cincinnati manager Bryan Price

said. "You're not seeing the same pitching philosophy that you have in the past. We all agree he has to develop those pitches. There is not a better place to do it. You hate to lose a game when guys are working on their stuff but it will pay dividends down the road."

Todd Frazier doubled home two runs in the first inning.  Billy Hamilton doubled home a run in the second, raising his average to .318. Hamilton walked in the first but did not attempt a stolen base.

Posey's home run tied the game at three.  The Giants scored three more in the fourth.  Andianza's home run and followed Juan Perez's double.  Tim Hudson, the Giants pitcher doubled and scored when Posey doubled with two out.

Roger Bernadina tripled and scored on Joey Votto's single.

Skip Schumaker doubled and homered raising his spring average to .550.  Bernadina is hitting an even .500.

Aroldis Chapman pitched three scoreless innings in relief, allowing a hit and a walk.  He struck out one.

"We utilize the plan to get him stretched out so he can get connected to his change-up and slider," Price said. "It gives him more opportunity to get familiar with those pitches. Don't read anything into it. He's not going into the rotation."

The Reds have lost in nine straight days.  They did have a split-squad win on Friday.