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Braves nip struggling Reds

May 30, 2011 - 3:20 AM Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Jair Jurrjens tossed eight strong innings and Martin Prado hit a two-run homer, leading the Braves to a 2-1 victory over the Reds in the finale of a three-game set.

Prado gave Atlanta the lead with his homer in the sixth inning, then threw out the potential game-tying run in the eighth from left field as the Braves took the final two games of the series.

"The two pitchers were great. This was one of those games that one run makes a difference," said Prado.

Jurrjens (7-1) allowed six hits and two walks while striking out five in another sparkling performance, lowing his major league-leading earned run average to 1.51 and picking up his first career win against Cincinnati.

Jay Bruce homered for the tired and scuffling Reds, who lost for the 10th time in their last 12 games. Johnny Cueto (2-2) was the hard-luck loser, giving up two runs and five hits in eight innings.

Craig Kimbrel stranded runners at first and second base in the ninth, striking out Ramon Hernandez to end the game and earn his 15th save.

The Reds had an even better chance to tie the game the previous inning.

Paul Janish hit a leadoff single in the eighth, moved to second on Cueto's sacrifice bunt and tried to score on Brandon Phillips' line-drive single to left field.

But Prado one-hopped a throw to home that catcher David Ross fielded cleanly behind the plate. Janish slid to the inside, stretching his right foot across the plate as Ross reached to tag him near the shoulder.

Umpire Dan Iassogna called Janish out, ending the inning. Replays failed to show clearly not only whether Ross' tag was in time, but also if it even grazed Janish as he slid.

The Reds, playing for the 17th straight day, finished 2-8 on a 10-game road trip.

"Nobody's happy in this clubhouse the way we played on this road trip," Cueto said through an interpreter. "But tomorrow's another day. We have to keep fighting."

The Reds took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Bruce belted his National League-leading 15th homer deep into the seats behind right-center field on Jurrjens' 1-0 changeup.

But the Braves went up 2-1 when Prado took Cueto deep over the left-field wall in the sixth inning for his seventh homer of the season. The two-run blast scored Jordan Schafer, who led off the inning with a walk.

Cueto gave the beleaguered Reds bullpen a rest with his longest outing in five starts since returning from a spring training trip to the disabled list. He walked three batters.

"I'm happy because I had a good outing," said Cueto. "But in the other phase, we lost the game. So I'm not happy."

Game Notes

Both starting pitchers are 25-year-old right-handers...Jurrjens' eight decisions have come in nine starts. He hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his appearances this season and has gone at least six innings each time. Jurrjens was 0-3 against the Reds entering the game...The Braves are 5-2 in their last seven games.