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| "CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 6: Paul Maholm #28 of the Atlanta Braves talks with Brian McCann #16 during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 6, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)" |
Coming off a 9-4 win over the New York Mets, Atlanta will enter a critical series on the road against one of the National League's best offense, the Cincinnati Reds. Two of the elite teams in the National League, Braves and Reds, get together for a three-game series beginning tonight at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Reds manager Dusty Baker is on the cusp of a managerial milestone, one more win gets him his 1,600th career win, passing legendary Dodgers manager, Tommy Lasorda for 18th on the all-time list. Reds come into their six-game home stand with a 12-4 record at GABP and have yet to lose a home series. Braves look to change that as Paul Maholm will get the ball in the first of the three game series. Maholm (3-3, 3.08 ERA) got the short end of the stick in last Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Nationals. Maholm pitched eight fantastic innings, but made only one mistake, which was the Ian Desmond home run in the 4th inning, that cost him the game. Braves offense hopes to back Maholm with some run support tonight in the launch pad that is the Great American Ball Park. Opposing Maholm will be veteran pitcher, Bronson Arroyo. Like Maholm, Arroyo (2-3, 3.95 ERA) was the victim of bad fortune in his last start against the Cardinals. He pitched seven strong innings while allowing two runs on six hits, as he was out-dueled by Jaime Garcia in the 2-1 loss. Arroyo has been effective lately, holding the opposition to two earned runs in three of his past four starts. Tonight will also mark the first time of the season that Brian McCann who is in the final year of his contract, underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder this past off-season. Braves lost five of six games to the Reds in 2012, including being swept in a four-game series in Cincinnati. Reds have also beaten the Braves six consecutive times in Cincinnati, dating back to 2011. Atlanta would look to start their road trip off on the right note, with a Braves victory.
FIRST INNING:
In Atlanta's first offensive stint, B.J. Upton opens the game by striking out with the first out of the game. Chris Johnson walked with one out of the inning. Justin Upton singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Jay Bruce. Chris Johnson to 3rd. Freddie Freeman singles on a line drive to right fielder Jay Bruce. Chris Johnson scores. Justin Upton to 2nd and gave the Braves a 1-0 lead. After Evan Gattis struck out swinging, Brian McCann walks. Justin Upton to 3rd. Freddie Freeman to 2nd to load the bases with two outs in the inning and Dan Uggla was called out on strikes and took their 1-0 lead into the bottom frame. In the Reds first offensive stretch, Shin-Soo Choo called out on strikes; followed by Zack Cozart called out on strikes for the second out and would get a 1-2-3 inning as Joey Votto lined out to left fielder Evan Gattis as the Braves led 1-0 heading into the next inning.
SECOND INNING:
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| "CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 6: Andrelton Simmons #19 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a home run in the second inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 6, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)" |
THIRD INNING:
As for the Braves third stint, Justin Upton flies out to left fielder Derrick Robinson. Freddie Freeman would earn his second hit as he doubles on a line drive to right fielder Jay Bruce with one out. However, the Braves couldn't capitalize as Evan Gattis lines out, pitcher Bronson Arroyo to second baseman Brandon Phillips to first baseman Joey Votto. Freddie Freeman to 3rd and Brian McCann grounds out to first baseman Joey Votto. In Cincinnati's next stretch, Devin Mesoraco grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Derrick Robinson singles on a line drive to right fielder Justin Upton to put a runner on with one out; however, the Reds wouldn't capitalize as Bronson Arroyo out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Brian McCann to second baseman Dan Uggla. Derrick Robinson to 2nd with two outs and Shin-Soo Choo lines out to shortstop Andrelton Simmons and the Braves maintained a 2-0 lead.
FOURTH INNING:
Dan Uggla opened the Braves next inning with a huge triple on a line drive to center fielder Shin-Soo Choo with no outs. Andrelton Simmons singles on a ground ball to left fielder Derrick Robinson, deflected by shortstop Zack Cozart. Dan Uggla scores and the Braves lead 3-0 with no outs. Paul Maholm reaches on a force attempt, throwing error by catcher Devin Mesoraco. Andrelton Simmons to 2nd to place two men on with no outs. B. J. Upton struck out swinging for the first out of the inning. Chris Johnson grounds into a double play, shortstop Zack Cozart to second baseman Brandon Phillips to first baseman Joey Votto. Paul Maholm out at 2nd and the Braves offensive stretch came to an end. The Reds opened their next stint with Zack Cozart singles on a line drive to left fielder Evan Gattis with no outs. Joey Votto walks. Zack Cozart to 2nd with no outs posing the first threat of the game for Cincinnati. The Reds would capitalize as Brandon Phillips doubles on a line drive to left fielder Evan Gattis. Zack Cozart scores. Joey Votto to 3rd to cut the Braves lead to 3-1. Jay Bruce grounds out to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Joey Votto scores. Brandon Phillips to 3rd would trim the lead down to 3-2. Todd Frazier called out on strikes for the second out and Devin Mesoraco grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman as the Braves lead was now trimmed to 3-2.
FIFTH INNING:
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| "CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 6: Evan Gattis #24 of the Atlanta Braves doubles to drive in a run in the fifth inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 6, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)" |
Justin Upton would open up the inning as he singled on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Jay Bruce with no outs. Freddie Freeman lined out to left fielder Derrick Robinson for the first out. Atlanta would capitalize as Evan Gattis doubled on a line drive to center fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Justin Upton scores and pushed the Braves lead to 4-2. Brian McCann grounds out to first baseman Joey Votto. Evan Gattis to 3rd for the second out of the inning and Dan Uggla called out on strikes as the Braves maintained their two run lead. As Cincinnati started their next stretch, Derrick Robinson would walk with nobody out. Bronson Arroyo out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Brian McCann to second baseman Dan Uggla. Derrick Robinson to 2nd. Shin-Soo Choo hit by pitch. Zack Cozart would strike out swinging for the second out and Joey Votto grounds into a force out, third baseman Chris Johnson to second baseman Dan Uggla. Shin-Soo Choo out at 2nd as the Braves ended the threat and maintained their 4-2 lead.
SIXTH INNING:
Pitching Change: Alfredo Simon replaces Bronson Arroyo as he left the game pitching (5.0) innings, allowed (8) hits, (4) earned runs, (2) walks, one home run and struck out (7) batters. As for the Braves, Andrelton Simmons strikes out swinging; followed by Paul Maholm called out on strikes and would go down in a 1-2-3 inning as B. J. Upton strikes out swinging. In the Reds next offensive stretch, Brandon Phillips grounds out, shortstop Andrelton Simmons to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Jay Bruce called out on strikes for the second out. Todd Frazier singles on a line drive to left fielder Evan Gattis. Todd Frazier advances to 2nd, on a fielding error by left fielder Evan Gattis. Pitching Change: Cory Gearrin replaced Paul Maholm who pitched (5.2) innings, allowed (4) hits, (2) earned runs, (2) walks, and struck out (6) batters. With Devin Mesoraco batting, wild pitch by Cory Gearrin, Todd Frazier to 3rd; however, Devin Mesoraco called out on strikes and Atlanta maintained their 4-2 lead into the next frame.
SEVENTH INNING:
In Atlanta's next offensive stint, the Braves would go down in a 1-2-3 fashion as Chris Johnson, Justin Upton, and Freddie Freeman would all strike out. As the Reds came out to bat, Cesar Izturis grounds out, second baseman Dan Uggla to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Also, the Braves made another pitching change inserting reliever Luis Avilan in the lineup. Donald Lutz strikes out swinging for the second of the inning. After Shin-Soo Choo walks, with Zack Cozart batting, Shin-Soo Choo picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Luis Avilan to first baseman Freddie Freeman to shortstop Andrelton Simmons and Atlanta continued to hold on to their 4-2 lead.
EIGHTH INNING:
As the Braves came up to bat, Evan Gattis pops out to shortstop Zack Cozart for the first out; followed by Brian McCann strikes out swinging. Dan Uggla kept the inning alive as he singles on a ground ball to center fielder Shin-Soo Choo. Atlanta would capitalize as Andrelton Simmons homers on a fly ball to left field. Dan Uggla scores and the Braves took a 6-2 lead and would capitalize again as Jordan Schafer homered on a fly ball to right field to put the Braves up 7-2. After B.J. Upton walked, Chris Johnson grounds out, third baseman Todd Frazier to first baseman Joey Votto. The Reds would put a small rally in their half of the inning as Zack Cozart doubled on a ground ball to left fielder Jordan Schafer with no outs. Joey Votto doubles on a line drive to left fielder Jordan Schafer. Zack Cozart scores and trimmed the Braves lead to 7-3. The Reds continued their rally as Brandon Phillips singles on a line drive to right fielder Justin Upton. Joey Votto to 3rd with no outs. After Jordan Walden allowed those hits, he was pulled for reliever Eric O'Flaherty. After the pitching change, Jay Bruce flies out to left fielder Jordan Schafer for the first out. Todd Frazier grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman. Joey Votto scores. Brandon Phillips to 2nd and the Reds cut the lead to 7-4 and finally, Devin Mesoraco grounds out, third baseman Chris Johnson to first baseman Freddie Freeman as the Braves maintained their 7-4 lead into the final inning.
NINTH INNING:
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| "CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 6: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Atlanta Braves pitches the ninth inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 6, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Braves won 7-4. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images" |
In Atlanta's last offensive stint, Justin Upton walks with no outs. Freddie Freeman lines out to right fielder Jay Bruce for the first out; followed by Ramiro Pena strikes out swinging and Brian McCann flies out to left fielder Donald Lutz. Closer Craig Kimbrel came in to close the deal as Xavier Paul lines out to left fielder Jordan Schafer for the first out. After Donald Lutz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Justin Upton and Shin-Soo Choo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jordan Schafer. Donald Lutz to 2nd to place two men with one out. However, the Braves would close it out as Zack Cozart pops out to first baseman Freddie Freeman on the infield fly rule and Joey Votto strikes out swinging as the Braves earned a win.
WINNING PITCHER:
Paul Malholm (4-3):
(5.2) innings pitched, allowed (4) hits, (2) earned runs, (2) walks, and struck out (6) batters.
LOSING PITCHER:
Bronson Arroyo (2-4):
(5.0) innings pitched, allowed (8) hits, (4) earned runs, (2) walks, one home run and struck out (7) batters.
SAVE:
Craig Kimbrel (10)
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Andrelton Simmons:
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| "CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 6: Andrelton Simmons #19 of the Atlanta Braves hits a home run in the second inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 6, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images" |
The second year shortstop had a tremendous game on both offense and came up with a few great defensive plays. Simmons was (2-4) tonight and accounted for three Atlanta runs as he nailed a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Braves a 3-0 lead and would follow up with another two run homer in the eighth inning as well to give the Braves a commanding 6-2 lead. Simmons also made some great plays such as his pick off on shortstop Shin-Soo Cho in the game and had a consistent game defensively. If Andrelton Simmons can keep this kind of effort going, he will continue to provide the Braves offense with the spark that the team needs in games such as tonight's victory. He's continuing to open up his season providing a major boost to Atlanta's explosive offense.
CONCLUSION:
Tonight's win earned the Braves their first in Cincinnati in their previous six trips as well as extending their winning streak as well. The Braves offense got a huge lift early and would never turn back scoring a whopping seven runs on the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Tomorrow, Kris Medlen will look to get out of his rough start of the 2013 MLB season and earn a win for Atlanta as well. Atlanta continues to be one of the most impressive teams around the majors to open the 2013 season and tonight's win displayed how special this unit could be throughout the season. Each night, the Braves are showing the nation that they can win ball games in many different aspects and tomorrow, they will look to extend their winning streak to a three games in a row. Until tomorrow, GO BRAVES!!!!
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