Braves 2, Reds 1
CINCINNATI -- Shelby Miller pitched seven strong innings, and pinch hitter Phil Gosselin singled and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the ninth, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
Monday night's game was delayed one hour and 40 minutes by rain.
Shortstop Andrelton Simmons homered and Luis Avilan (1-0) earned his first victory for Atlanta.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez said prior to Monday's game that closer Jason Grilli, who has been out with back spasms, would be available to pitch. But, it was right-hander Jim Johnson who preserved the lead for the Braves in the ninth for his second save.
Reds closer Aroldis Chapman (1-2) gave up three hits and a run in the ninth to earn his second straight defeat for Cincinnati (15-17).
Reds starter Leake pitched in and out of trouble on Monday night, tossing 101 pitches in six innings with one run and eight hits allowed.
Both teams had plenty of chances to take control in the game, going a combined 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position.
Atlanta twice had the bases loaded with one out on Monday night and had runners on first and third with one out in the ninth
In the seventh, Reds right fielder Jay Bruce's bid for a two-run home run was caught by Nick Markakis a foot shy of the right-field wall.
Miller overcame a rough start to allow just one run on three hits with a pair of walks and eight Ks. He retired 15 straight in one stretch.
Miller worked through trouble in each of the first two innings.
In the first, Hamilton led off with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on Miller's throwing error. But, Miller retired the next three batters.
In the second, a pair of singles and a hit batsman loaded the bases with no outs.
Catcher Tucker Barnhart's sacrifice fly put Cincinnati ahead 1-0. But, that's the only run Miller gave up.
Leake retired eight straight before his 19-inning scoreless streak abruptly ended when Simmons launched a solo homer on an 0-2 pitch, tying the score 1-1 in the fourth.
Atlanta had the bases loaded with one out in the fourth, but couldn't plate the go-ahead run.
Following the early rough patch, Miller retired 11 straight heading into the sixth.
NOTES: Reds RHP Kevin Gregg was designated for assignment after going 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in 11 appearances. Cincinnati recalled RHP Pedro Villarreal from Triple-A Louisville. It is Villarreal's third stint with the Reds this season. ... Braves RHP Jason Grilli, unavailable the previous two days due to back spasms, was available Monday. Grilli has nine saves in 10 opportunities this season. ... Reds SS Zack Cozart was scratched from the starting lineup due to a sore left wrist. He missed four games last week after being struck by a pitch. ... Only three Braves pitchers bested RHP Shelby Miller's 1.66 ERA through their first six starts with the team, most recently Phil Niekro in 1967.