Reds 4, Braves 2
Bronson Arroyo held host Atlanta to three hits over seven strong innings and Brandon Phillips delivered a two-run single in the first as Cincinnati evened the four-game series at one win apiece.
Arroyo (8-7) limited a Braves’ offense that had averaged 5.8 runs in July to a Brian McCann solo homer in the seventh. Shin-Soo Choo, Derrick Robinson and Zack Cozart each finished with two hits for the Reds, who won for the second time in their last six contests.
The Braves, playing without right fielder Jason Heyward (strained right hamstring), lost center fielder B.J. Upton to a right adductor muscle strain in the first and his brother, right fielder Justin Upton, to a left calf strain in the seventh. Atlanta starter Kris Medlen (6-9) allowed three first-inning runs and
lasted just four-plus frames, surrendering four runs on nine hits.
Phillips lined a single that deflected off a diving B.J. Upton with the bases loaded and no outs in the first, scoring Choo and Robinson. Todd Frazier’s triple to center later in the inning made it 3-0, Robinson scored on Jay Bruce’s sacrifice fly in the fifth and Aroldis Chapman allowed a run in the ninth before notching his 21st save.
McCann put Atlanta on the board with his 11th homer of the season leading off the seventh. Rookie reliever Alex Wood struck out three over 3 2/3 hitless innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Arroyo leads all National League pitchers in victories since 2006 with 99. … B.J. Upton’s injury left Atlanta with just three outfielders, and utility player Tyler Pastornicky was inserted in center after Justin Upton exited. … Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman ended Cincinnati relievers' scoreless streak at 33 1/3 innings with an RBI single off Chapman with two outs in the ninth.