Yastrzemski hits a 2-run homer in the 10th inning and Giants top Reds 8-6

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning, Jung Hoo Lee had three hits including a triple and a double, and the San Francisco Giants rallied from a five-run deficit for an 8-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.

Wilmer Flores had three hits including a home run for San Francisco, which avoided a three-game series sweep.

Yastrzemski homered off Emilio Pagán (0-1) with automatic runner Matt Chapman at third.

Elly De La Cruz had a two-run double and Gavin Lux singled in two for Cincinnati in a five-run third inning.

The Giants trailed 6-1 in the sixth when Patrick Bailey tripled in a run during a four-run inning. Flores homered leading off the eighth to tie it.

Giants starter Justin Verlander struck out nine and gave up six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. The 42-year-old, who signed a $15 million one-year contract in January, was coming off a forgettable home debut on Friday against Seattle in which he lasted just 2 1/3 innings.

Erik Miller (1-0) pitched a perfect 10th inning for the win.

Reds starter Nick Martinez struck out eight and gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings.

Reds left fielder Will Benson made a diving catch in the gap to rob Lee of extra bases with one out in the ninth.

Verlander struck out at least nine for the first time since May 29 against Seattle while pitching for Houston.

Reds: RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 5.40 ERA) is expected to pitch Friday night’s series opener at home against Pittsburgh. LHP Brady Falter (0-1, 8.10) is scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.

Giants: LHP Robbie Ray (2-0, 3.18) is scheduled to pitch against the Yankees in New York on Friday night opposite RHP Marcus Stroman (0-0, 7.27).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz rounds third base to score during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez (28) during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

San Francisco Giants' Wilmer Flores slides into third base during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

The San Francisco Giants celebrate a home run by Mike Yastrzemski (5) during the tenth inning of a baseball game to beat the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Cincinnati Reds' Austin Wynns celebrates after scoring during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

The San Francisco Giants celebrate a home run by Mike Yastrzemski (5) during the tenth inning of a baseball game to beat the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

San Francisco Giants' Mike Yastrzemski hits a home run during the tenth inning of a baseball game to beat the Cincinnati Reds in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

MONTREAL (AP) — Mike Matheson and Juraj Slafkovsky scored goals 37 seconds apart to start the third period, propelling the Montreal Canadiens to a 6-3 win over the last-place Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.

Alexandre Carrier scored twice in a 20-second span in the second period for Montreal, which rebounded from a 4-0 home-ice loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Noah Dobson and Oliver Kapanen also scored in the Canadiens' fourth straight win over the Canucks.

Jakub Dobes, making his first start since Jan. 1, stopped 20 shots for Montreal. Dobes defeated Vancouver for the second time in as many outings this season.

Elias Pettersson, Evander Kane and Max Sasson scored for the Canucks.

Vancouver has lost the first four games of its season-long six-game Eastern Conference road trip. Overall, the Canucks have lost seven straight and nine of their last 10.

Nikita Tolopilo made 35 saves in his first appearance in goal for Vancouver since Dec. 8.

The Belarusian goaltender was recalled Sunday under emergency conditions from the Canucks’ AHL affiliate.

Starter Thatcher Demko was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury he suffered in his team’s 5-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Demko returned to Vancouver to be further evaluated by the Canucks’ medical staff.

Vancouver scored the opening goal of the game for the first time in six games, marking their first lead in a game since Dec. 30.

Carrier’s first goal was his 100th career point. It also was the first career multigoal game for the 29-year-old blueliner.

Canucks: At Ottawa on Tuesday in the fifth game of a six-game trip.

Canadiens: At Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Carrier, second from left, scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo (60) as Canucks' Tom Willander (5) defends during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks' Max Sasson (63) scores against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo (60) watches the puck in front of Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Texier (85) as Canucks' Marcus Pettersson (29) defends during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens' Alexandre Carrier (45) scores against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo, bottom left, as Canucks' Tom Willander (5) defends during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)