Giants pitcher’s 2-word excuse for hitting Reds’ Spencer Steer with pitch during tension-filled game

The San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds closed out a tense three-game series at Great American Ball Park. Lingering friction from earlier matchups carried into the finale Thursday afternoon. While the Giants secured a win in the final game, the Reds claimed the three-game series.

Tensions escalated early when Giants pitcher Landen Roupp hit Spencer Steer with the first pitch of his at-bat in the bottom of the second inning. The San Francisco pitcher’s four-seam fastball immediately raised questions, given the context surrounding the series between the two.

Roupp’s hit-by-pitch on Steer followed a confrontation one day earlier, when the Reds outfielder exchanged words with Giants reliever JT Brubaker during a tense plate appearance. That exchange helped set the stage for heightened emotions entering the series finale.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser shared Roupp’s postgame explanation on X, formerly Twitter, while adding a notable detail about the pitch selection.

“Roupp on the pitch that hit Steer, unconvincingly, ‘It slipped.’ It was the only four-seamer he threw all day. ”

Roupp on the pitch that hit Steer, unconvincingly, “It slipped.” It was the only four-seamer he threw all day.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 16, 2026

The post quickly drew attention, considering the Giants pitcher used the pitch just one time in an 87-pitch outing. That detail raised questions about his explanation and intensified debate surrounding his intent.

The 27-year-old right-hander maintained the pitch was accidental, but the circumstances left room for interpretation. The timing, pitch type, and prior tension all contributed to questions surrounding the moment.

Later in the series finale, Reds pitcher Connor Phillips hit Giants infielder Willy Adames, further escalating the situation. Phillips was ejected, and tensions boiled over into a benches-clearing confrontation after the final out.

Despite the drama, the club secured a shutout road victory. However, the game reflected as much intensity as the final score.

For San Francisco, the moment serves as a reminder of how quickly emotions can spill over during a series, especially when prior incidents carry into the next matchup and shape the tone of competition.

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