Final
Reds welcome Braves to Great American Ball Park
May 6, 2013 - 2:54 PM (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds own the best home record in the majors, and they'll welcome the Atlanta Braves to Great American Ballpark on Monday to open a three-game set.Cincinnati entered Monday 2 1/2 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. The Reds, who will begin a six-game homestand, finished off a three-game road sweep of the Chicago Cubs with Sunday's 7-4 victory.
Joey Votto had three hits and Todd Frazier drove in a pair of runs to help pick up starter Mat Latos, who allowed three runs in five innings.
"We've got a tough homestand," manager Dusty Baker said. "We're facing the Braves, who are one of the better teams in this league. After the Braves, we face the Brewers back in our division. We've got work to do."
Atlanta holds a two-game lead over the Nationals for the top spot in the NL East but has lost seven of its last nine on the road. The Braves snapped a three-game slide with a 9-4 triumph over the Mets on Sunday behind three RBI apiece from Freddie Freeman and Reed Johnson. The nine runs were the most for the Braves since a 10-2 win over the Rockies on April 23.
Monday's game is the first of 10 straight on the road for an Atlanta team that has dropped 10 of its last 15 overall. Paul Maholm will try to put a stop to that trend, as he is 5-1 with a 2.62 ERA in his last 12 starts against the Reds. However, the left-hander has lost each of his last three outings and has gotten only one run of support in all of them. He tossed a season-high eight innings against Washington on Wednesday but came away with a 2-0 loss.
The Braves welcome catcher Brian McCann back from the disabled list as he makes his season debut. The six-time All-Star had offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. While his replacement, Evan Gattis, earned NL Rookie of the Month for April, McCann's teammates are happy to welcome back a familiar face behind the dish.
"It's going to be nice to get all the pieces back," left fielder Justin Upton said. "We know we have an All-Star catcher coming back. I used to love to watch him play and swing the bat even when I was playing against him. So it's going to be fun to play beside him."
Bronson Arroyo takes the mound for the Reds, who sport a major league-best 2.32 staff ERA at home. Arroyo gave up two runs over seven innings at St. Louis on Tuesday, as the Reds fell, 2-1.
Cincinnati has won seven of the last eight head-to-head meetings and has won six in a row over Atlanta at Great American Ballpark. A win here would be the 1,600th career victory for Baker, which would move him past Tommy Lasorda for 18th place all-time.
- ATLANTA: 7
CINCINNATI: 4
Final
May 6 10:33 PM - Todd Frazier grounded out third to first scoring Joey Votto. On the play, Brandon Phillips advances to second. Runner on second with two outs and Devin Mesoraco due up.
Braves 7, Reds 4 Bot 8, 2 OutsMay 6 10:07 PM - Joey Votto doubled to left scoring Zack Cozart. Runner on second with none out and Brandon Phillips due up.
Braves 7, Reds 3 Bot 8, 0 OutsMay 6 9:59 PM - Pinch-Hitter Jordan Schafer two-out, solo Home Run (1) to right. B.J. Upton due up. NOTE: The home runs are back-to-back.
Braves 7, Reds 2 Top 8, 2 OutsMay 6 9:50 PM - Andrelton Simmons two-out, two-run Home Run 2 (4) to left scored Dan Uggla. Luis Avilan due up.
Braves 6, Reds 2 Top 8, 2 OutsMay 6 9:46 PM - Evan Gattis doubled to left center scoring Justin Upton. Runner on second with one out and Brian McCann due up.
Braves 4, Reds 2 Top 5, 1 OutMay 6 8:38 PM - Jay Bruce grounded out to first scoring Joey Votto. On the play, Brandon Phillips advances to third. Runner on third with one out and Todd Frazier due up.
Braves 3, Reds 2 Bot 4, 1 OutMay 6 8:29 PM - Brandon Phillips doubled to left scoring Zack Cozart. On the play, Joey Votto advances to third. Runners on second and third with none out and Jay Bruce due up.
Braves 3, Reds 1 Bot 4, 0 OutsMay 6 8:28 PM - Andrelton Simmons singled off short to left scoring Dan Uggla. Runner on first with none out and Paul Maholm due up.
Braves 3, Reds 0 Top 4, 0 OutsMay 6 8:08 PM - Andrelton Simmons lead-off Home Run (3) to left. Paul Maholm due up.
Braves 2, Reds 0 Top 2, 0 OutsMay 6 7:36 PM - Freddie Freeman singled to right scoring Chris Johnson. On the play, Justin Upton advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and Evan Gattis due up.
Braves 1, Reds 0 Top 1, 1 OutMay 6 7:17 PM - ATLANTA: 0
CINCINNATI: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 6 7:11 PM
Related News
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Raisel Iglesias Dec 26
- This Day in Braves History: Phil Niekro passes away Dec 26
- Christmas Day open thread Dec 25
- This Day in MLB History: December 25 Dec 25
- Christmas Eve open thread Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carty Dec 24
- This Day in Braves History: Milwaukee signs Rico Carey Dec 24
- Braves News: Holiday pause, season reviews, more Dec 24
- 2023 Minor league season in review: Luis De Avila Dec 23
- 2023 Braves Season in Review: Ozzie Albies Dec 23
- This Day in Braves History: J.D. Drew signs with Dodgers Dec 23
- Braves News: Offseason evaluation, season reviews, and more Dec 23