Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as the Reds fell 3-1 to the San Francisco Giants.

But that homer, the third of the season for Phillips this year which came off Giants' starter and winner Jonathan Sanchez, could be the trigger that gets the second baseman back on the right track.

Up until Friday, manager Dusty Baker had seen Phillips flailing at bad pitches and watching good pitches go by.

So Jerry Hairston was at second base for the opening of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants in AT&T Park Friday.

"I want to talk to Brandon because he is a little frustrated," said Baker. "I want him collect his thoughts. I can tell the way he is chasing balls that his concentration isn't there. It looks like he is guessing, 'This is going to be a strike,' and then it's a ball. 'Next time I'm taking,' and it's right down the middle."

Phillips had seen his overall average drop from .320 to .250. The home run inched that overall mark up slightly to .258.

"I'll just tell him to increase his concentration and do what he can do," said Baker. "He's not a power hitter, he is a hitter. He is a hitter with power. Anybody who can hit the ball to right field the way he can usually doesn't struggle for long stretches. Usually it is the pull hitters who have prolonged (bad) stretches."

GIANTS 3, REDS 1: The Reds are now 0-9 in the opening game of a series this season and had no runs and only two hits through eight innings Friday against LHP Jonathan Sanchez. Aaron Harang is 1-3 despite owning a 2.74 ERA after he gave up two earned runs on eight hits over 7 2/3 innings Friday.