Greene's dominant streak last achieved by a Red in ... 1938!?

CINCINNATI -- Hunter Greene doesn’t seek personal accolades, and he isn’t much interested in historical context. But when the Reds right-hander is doing something that nobody’s done since Johnny Vander Meer tossed back-to-back no-hitters in 1938, it’s difficult to ignore.

“I’m not paying too much attention to it,” Greene said. “This game is super humbling. Anything can be taken at any point. I honestly haven’t stepped back and, like, really leaned into what this stretch is. Obviously, I know I’m doing well.”

That might be an understatement.

Greene extended his career-long scoreless streak to 21 innings on Saturday as the Reds rebounded from being no-hit on Friday by hitting four home runs in the 6-4 victory over the Giants.

Tyler Stephenson homered twice, including a three-run shot in the fourth, while Jonathan India and Stuart Fairchild each hit solo home runs.

Greene (8-4) allowed one hit through six innings with a walk and a season-high 11 strikeouts. It was Michael Conforto who, with two outs in the fourth, mustered that lone hit off the National League All-Star.

“From the very beginning [he was] determined, pitched with emotion,” manager David Bell said. “He got ahead all day. That’s been a key for him as he continues to get better and better. I’m excited to see where he’s going.”

Greene, who hasn’t allowed a run since July 11, has given up one run or fewer in six straight starts, the first Reds pitcher to do so since Vander Meer, from May 27 to June 19, 1938, which included consecutive no-nos.

“What’s the secret to doing that?” Greene said, smiling.

In Friday night’s no-hitter, Blake Snell struck out the first three batters he faced on 11 pitches. On Saturday, Greene needed just 18 pitches to fan his first three batters.

And the second inning, Greene struck out two more while working around a hit batsman and a walk. He finished the night with 100 pitches (64 strikes) and 21 swings-and-misses.

The day after being no-hit by Snell, Reds batters jumped all over Giants lefty Kyle Harrison, who allowed four homers for the second time in his career. Entering Saturday, Harrison had only allowed 10 homers over his 18 starts this year.

Stephenson ended the Reds’ 11-inning hitless skid with a solo home run off Harrison in the second. It was Stephenson’s 12th homer of the season. He added to that total two innings later, demolishing a three-run long ball in the fourth. It was Stephenson's second career multihomer game, the first on July 11 vs. Colorado -- the same day that Greene's scoreless streak began.

India followed suit with his ninth homer of the season, a solo knock in the third that reached the second-deck bleachers in left field.

Then, with two outs in the fourth, Fairchild smacked a line drive that squarely struck the left-field foul pole for his seventh homer, giving the Reds a 6-0 lead.

Stephenson didn’t want to talk much about his two homers, but rather how much he’s enjoying Greene’s evolution this season, from a pitcher who grinds through outings, to one who’s dominating.

“Just the overall growth that he’s made,” Stephenson said. “It’s been a pleasure to watch. His command has been unbelievable. When he’s sitting there painting corners and he’s throwing as hard as he is, and being able to throw his slider whenever he wants in counts, I just feel like his command has been a game-changer.”

Greene has allowed 10 hits combined in his past five starts, fewest by any Reds starting pitcher in a calendar month (min. 25 IP) since 1900.

Greene allowed six earned runs on June 25 vs. Pittsburgh; He’s given up just two since.

“I take more pride in those starts when I don’t feel my best or the fastball’s not exploding,” Greene said. “When I’m able to get out of those outings without my best stuff, that’s even more impressive.”

With two more scoreless innings, Greene will match Sonny Gray’s 23 consecutive scoreless frames for the Reds in 2019, which was the longest such streak by a Cincinnati pitcher since reliever J.J. Hoover (26 1/3 innings in 2013).

But Greene isn’t counting.

“The work -- it doesn’t stop,” Greene said. “I’m trying to pick things out in my game that I can get better at throughout the game. That’s been my focus, my mindset. I’m trying to find ways to be even better.”