NOT AT THEIR BEST
Braves struggling for first time this season
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves aren’t exactly reeling.
They’ve held first place in the NL East since May 31 and still lead the National League in runs scored.
Over the past seven games, however, manager Brian Snitker’s team has lost five times, producing Atlanta’s first lull of the season.
“This is really the first grind-type thing, team-wise, that we’ve been through,” he said. “You’re going to go through it. Everybody goes through it. We’re not going to be immune to it.”
Adam Duvall had a two-run single in the seventh inning, and Jose Peraza homered and scored twice as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Braves 6-5 Wednesday.
The Reds have won two straight, nine of 10 and 12 of 15 after taking two of three at SunTrust Park. Cincinnati closer Raisel Iglesias pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 15th save in 17 chances, giving the Reds their best 10-game stretch since June 19-29, 2012.
“We definitely don’t ever think we’re out of a game,” said Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett, the NL’s leading hitter with a .336 average. “At any moment we can tack on a few runs, take the lead, and our bullpen’s been doing a great job of keeping it.”
Cincinnati took advantage of another shaky outing by Braves reliever Sam Freeman (2-4), scoring three runs in the
“This is really the first grindtype thing, team-wise, that we’ve been through. You’re going to go through it. Everybody goes through it. We’re not going to be immune to it.” — BRAVES MANAGER BRIAN SNITKER
seventh inning for a 6-5 lead on Gennett’s RBI single and Duvall’s single.
Freeman allowed two hits and three runs in two-thirds of an inning and dropped to 1-3 with an 8.16 ERA in his past 15 appearances. Atlanta’s bullpen blew three leads during its sixgame homestand against the Reds and Baltimore and posted a 5.46 ERA in 29 2/3 innings. The Orioles are the AL’s worst team so far this season, and Cincinnati — despite its hot streak — is the NL’s thirdworst.
It marked the first time this season Atlanta has lost consecutive home series, and after an off day today, the Braves start a 10-game road trip against three of the best teams in the majors: the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Snitker said he’s not concerned about the personnel but
noted the recent combination of rain delays and extra-inning games has gotten things out of sync.
“The bullpen is taxed. We’re getting guys on and have a hard time in the productive out situation,” Snitker said. “It’s going to happen.”
The Braves had gone 2-for-20 with runners in scoring position in their previous two games, but four runners scored from second base in the fourth inning Wednesday. They went 0-for-5 the rest of the way.
Jackson Stephens (2-0) struck out two in 1 2/3 innings to earn the win. Iglesias earned a save for the second straight day and has converted his past six chances.
Braves starter Sean Newcomb allowed seven hits, three runs and two walks with six strikeouts in six innings. He has a 2.13 ERA in his past six home starts but threw a career-high 111 pitches.
Cincinnati starter Luis Castillo retired the first 11 batters and gave up six hits, one walk and five runs (four earned) with four strikeouts in four innings. After Castillo was chased in the fifth, an infield error allowed a run to score.
The Reds made it 4-3 in the fifth when Peraza tripled and scored on Brandon Dixon’s single. Cincinnati led 2-0 on Billy Hamilton’s RBI single in the second and Peraza’s homer, his third of the season, in the third.
Four straight singles in the seventh gave the Reds the lead for good.
“We’ve had some games lately where we came back in late innings, so that’s one thing about this team,” Duvall said. “We don’t give up.”
On the injury front, Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies got the day off after his left foot was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning Tuesday. He stayed in that game, but Snitker said he was sore when he woke up Wednesday. Albies, the NL doubles leader, is batting .459 during an eight-game hitting streak.
Atlanta center fielder Ender Inciarte left Wednesday’s game before the start of the eighth inning with a sore oblique, but Snitker believes he will be ready by Friday.
Braves rookie left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr., sidelined since May 28 with a left knee sprain and bruises to his knee and lower back, will likely be reinstated from the disabled list before Friday’s game. He went 3-for-11 in his past three rehab games with Triple-A Gwinnett.
Atlanta right-handed pitcher Mike Soroka was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Soroka, a prized young starter, is on the DL for the second time this season with shoulder inflammation.