Cincinnati Reds Play Long Ball in 5-1 Win Over Braves

W: Mike Leake (1-1)

Tonight’s game started as a pitcher’s duel between Mike Leake and Shelby Miller, as the score stood 0-0 for five innings. While Leake pitched largely without trouble for most of the game, the Cincinnati Reds had their share of chances against Miller.

In the third, Skip Schumaker had a leadoff double, but the Reds failed to get him home. In the fourth, Zack Cozart led off the inning with a four-pitch walk and Joey Votto doubled. But Todd Frazier struck out and Jay Bruce lined out to Freddie Freeman, who threw to second for the double play.

The Reds finally got to Miller in the sixth. Billy Hamilton reached base on a dropped third strike, followed by a Cozart single. Votto then had a very impressive at-bat, which resulted in an opposite field double that scored Hamilton easily. However, the Reds failed to add on any additional runs despite loading the bases with one out. Tucker Barnhart and Leake led off the seventh with back-to-back home runs off Miller. Hamilton joined the home run party with a solo shot in the ninth.

Meanwhile, Leake pitched his best game of the season to date, allowing two hits and no runs with three strikeouts and two walks. The two hits he gave up were an infield single to Nick Markakis in the first and a single to Jace Peterson in the second. Tony Cingrani pitched the ninth and looked a little shaky, giving up one run on two hits and a walk. He did get a timely 4-6-3 double play to help him get through the inning.

Other Notes:

In the fifth inning, Marlon Byrd walked for the first time this season. It was his 78th plate appearance of the season.
Frazier did not look good in three of his four at-bats tonight, striking out three times, including twice with runners on second and third and no one out. He did, however, make up for it by hitting a solo home run in the eighth off of Donnie Veal.
Bruce was the only player in the Reds lineup not to get a hit. He did the ball hard a couple of times, but it found a Braves player each time.
Leake now has five home runs in his career. Just say no to the DH in the National League.

Up Next: Anthony DeSclafani looks to continue his strong start this season against Atlanta at 7:35 ET Friday. Mike Foltynewicz, the Braves’ #3 prospect, will make his major league debut.

Cincinnati Reds Play Long Ball in 5-1 Win Over Braves

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