Giants' Erik Miller, Reds' Sal Stewart Involved in Heated Dugout Confrontation

Benches clear after Miller's emphatic reaction to final strikeout of Giants' 3-0 win over Reds

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:37am by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting the confrontation between two baseball players, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes representing the raw energy and competitiveness of the moment.A cubist interpretation of the heated exchange between Giants reliever Erik Miller and Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, capturing the intensity and emotion of the on-field confrontation.San Francisco Today

In the aftermath of the San Francisco Giants' 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, tensions boiled over between Giants reliever Erik Miller and Reds first baseman Sal Stewart. After Miller struck out Stewart to record his first career save, he reacted emotionally on the mound and directed a statement toward Stewart, leading to a brief confrontation between the players and a benches-clearing incident.

Why it matters

The heated exchange between Miller and Stewart was the latest in a series of incidents that occurred during the three-game series between the Giants and Reds, which included a pitch-clock dispute, a hit-by-pitch, and the ejection of a Reds pitcher. These types of on-field confrontations can often lead to further escalation and disciplinary action by the league.

The details

With the Giants leading 3-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Miller struck out Stewart to record his first career save. Immediately after the strikeout, Miller reacted loudly and gestured toward Stewart, directing him back to the dugout. Stewart turned and responded to Miller, setting off a quick confrontation. Players from both dugouts and bullpens moved onto the field, leading to a benches-clearing situation after the final out.

  • On Thursday, April 17, 2026, the Giants defeated the Reds 3-0 to avoid a series sweep.
  • The confrontation between Miller and Stewart occurred immediately after the final out of the game.

The players

Erik Miller

A left-handed reliever for the San Francisco Giants who recorded his first career save in the game and was involved in the heated exchange with Sal Stewart.

Sal Stewart

The Cincinnati Reds' first baseman who was struck out by Miller to end the game and was the recipient of Miller's emotional reaction on the mound.

Elly De La Cruz

The Reds' third baseman whose error in the seventh inning led to the Giants scoring all three of their runs in the game.

Matt Chapman

The Giants' third baseman who hit a double in the seventh inning that helped spark the Giants' three-run rally.

Jung Hoo Lee

The Giants' outfielder who drove in one of the three runs with an RBI single in the seventh inning.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was just fired up. I probably let the emotions get the best of me. I'm not trying to direct anything specifically to him. I have no problem with him. I just said a sentence that most hitters probably don't like to hear, so I can understand why he was upset. It was just more like I was just really fired up. It wasn't anything personal. He happened to be the guy at the plate.”

— Erik Miller, Giants Reliever

“I had my at-bat. I struck out. He came down the mound looking at me and pointing at me, and just yelling. Tempers flared, things happened. It's all good. I'm not going to make light into that. We won the series, and things happen, you know? Tough game today, but we won the series. We're going to go to Minnesota and play [Friday]. I'm not going to talk more about that. We leave things on the field and whatever happens, happens.”

— Sal Stewart, Reds First Baseman

What’s next

The Giants and Reds will both have to wait and see if the league takes any disciplinary action against the players involved in the confrontation. The teams are scheduled to meet again in a series in Minnesota starting on Friday.

The takeaway

The heated exchange between Miller and Stewart was the latest in a series of on-field incidents between the Giants and Reds, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness of their matchup. While tempers flared, both players downplayed the confrontation, emphasizing that they will move on and focus on their upcoming games.