Duvall’s HR helps Smyly, Braves walk past Reds
BRAVES 3, REDS 2
ATLANTA — Adam Duvall hit a two-run home run, Stephen Vogt’s bases-loaded walk in the sixth forced in the go-ahead run and the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Drew Smyly (8-3) recovered after allowing a two-run home run to Aristides Aquino in the second inning. Smyly (Little Rock Central, Arkansas Razorbacks) allowed 2 runs on only 2 hits and 2 walks with 7 strikeouts in 6 innings. The lefthander won his sixth consecutive decision.
“That was a heck of an outing against a really good offensive club,” Braves Manager Brian Snitker said.
Will Smith gave up a one-out double to Kyle Farmer in the ninth. Smith walked Eugenio Suarez before pinch-hitter Mike Moustakas hit into a game-ending double play. Smith earned his 23rd save in 26 chances.
Duvall’s home run, his 25th, tied the game in the fourth.
The Braves had six walks and five hits. Dansby Swanson and Joc Pederson each had two walks.
“It just gives us more opportunities to be able to score runs and do it different ways,” Swanson said. “Do it with walks, with plate discipline.”
Heath Hembree (2-7) and Amir Garrett combined to walk three batters in the sixth, helping the Braves break a 2-2 tie.
Hembree gave up a single to Austin Riley before walking Dans- by Swanson. With one out, Garrett issued back-to-back walks to Joc Pederson and Vogt, forcing in a run.
Reds Manager David Bell wouldn’t blame the loss on his bullpen.
“You look at the big picture and our pitching allowed three runs tonight,” Bell said. “So I think the story was more our offense and the pitching the Braves threw against us.”
CARDINALS 4, PIRATES 1 J.A. Happ combined with a trio of relievers on a one-hitter, Tommy Edman and Paul DeJong homered early and St. Louis beat skidding Pittsburgh.
BREWERS 4-6, CUBS 2-3 Freddy Peralta pitched effectively into the sixth inning, Avisail Garcia hit a go-ahead two-run homer and Milwaukee took the opener of a doubleheader against Chicago. Luis UrIas had two hits during a six-run, fifth-inning rally as the Brewers won the second game to complete the sweep.
DODGERS 5, PHILLIES 0 Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola had a pitchers’ duel ruined by rain, and Corey Seager and Max Muncy homered as Los Angeles ended Philadelphia’s eight-game winning streak.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 3 Willians Astudillo hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning off former Arkansas Razorback Dallas Keuchel, and Minnesota stopped Chicago’s win streak at four games. RAYS 8, RED SOX 4 Tampa Bay’s Francisco MejIa singled with the bases loaded in the ninth and Boston’s Hunter Renfroe made a costly error on the play, helping the Rays extend their lead in the AL East to five games.
ROYALS 8, YANKEES 4 Salvador Perez homered twice to set a career high with 29 this season, and Kansas City rallied to beat New York.
ANGELS 6-0, BLUE JAYS 3-4 Justin Upton and Phil Gosselin each had two hits and two RBI, and Los Angeles beat Toronto in the first game of a doubleheader. In the nightcap, the Angels were limited to three hits by four Toronto pitchers.
ATHLETICS 4, INDIANS 3 (10) Jed Lowrie hit an RBI double in the 10th inning and Oakland extended its winning streak to five games.
TIGERS 9, ORIOLES 4 Willi Castro doubled, tripled and drove in three runs, and Detroit dealt Baltimore its sixth straight loss.
INTERLEAGUE
ASTROS 5, ROCKIES 0 Jake Odorizzi and four relievers combined on a five-hit shutout, Taylor Jones had a two-run double and Houston snapped Colorado’s four-game winning streak.