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Braves eye third victory in a row vs. Reds

Apr 26, 2014 - 3:11 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Braves shoot for a third victory in a row on Saturday night in the middle contest of a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Braves jumped out quick last night against the Reds, getting a three-run homer from Justin Upton in the first inning and RBI hits from Jason Heyward and Evan Gattis in the second and third frame, respectively, before holding on for a 5-4 triumph.

Ervin Santana ended up yielding four runs over 6 2/3 innings, but got the win, while closer Craig Kimbrel put two runners on before striking out two and then getting Joey Votto to ground out for his seventh save of the campaign.

"It's always nice to jump out ahead and give your pitcher a little cushion and get comfortable and we were able to do that," said Upton following Atlanta's fifth victory in seven games.

Votto picked up a pair of hits and an RBI, and Billy Hamilton knocked in a run for the Reds, who had a three-game win streak broken.

Homer Bailey took the loss as he was knocked around for five runs on nine hits through six innings.

"If you have to lose at the end of the day you hope to have some good things to look back on. It was 5-0 against a very good pitching staff, good bullpen, good starter, good team. We came back and pushed and pushed and pushed," said Reds manager Bryan Price.

Price may be without two players for today's game due to injury as catcher Devin Mesoraco exited in the seventh inning because of a strained left hamstring, while third baseman Todd Frazier came out in the fifth frame due to tight left groin.

Taking the mound tonight for the Reds will be right-hander Mike Leake, who was aiming for a third straight winning start on Monday but instead got a no- decision versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Leake allowed eight hits over seven innings in a game his club lost 6-5, the only runs he allowed coming on a grand slam hit by the Pirates' Ike Davis.

The 26-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.49 earned run average on the season and 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA lifetime versus the Braves.

David Hale will make his fourth start of the season and sixth of his major league career for the Braves tonight. It may also be his last for a while as he is the likely man out in Mike Minor's pending return from left shoulder tightness.

Hale has not earned a decision this year despite a 2.93 ERA and is 1-0 with a 2.05 ERA in the majors. He last pitched on Sunday versus the New York Mets and allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and two walks over six innings.

The 26-year-old righty will face the Reds for the first time.

Cincinnati went 3-4 against the Braves last season after winning five of six meetings in 2012.