Despite home runs by Michael Harris II and Matt Olson, the Atlanta Braves blew a four-run lead in a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, their third consecutive loss. Relievers Pierce Johnson and Jesse Chavez faltered, enabling Atlanta (81-70) to slip two games behind the New York Mets (83-68) for the third NL wild card slot. Harris gave Atlanta an early lead with a leadoff homer in the first inning, which was followed by Olson’s two-run homer to make it 3-0. Jorge Soler added another home run in the fourth, increasing the lead to 5-1, but the Braves were unable to convert on opportunities, going 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position and leaving 14 on base.
Atlanta (81-70) fell two games behind the New York Mets (83-68) in the race for the third NL wild card slot as relievers Pierce Johnson and Jesse Chavez faltered. Harris gave Atlanta an early lead with a leadoff home run in the first inning, followed by Olson’s two-run drive to make it 3-0. Jorge Soler added another home run in the fourth, extending the lead to 5-1, but the Braves struggled to convert on opportunities, finishing 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position and leaving 14 on base.
We injured ourselves a couple of times,” Braves manager Brian Snitker admitted. “In this baseball park, no lead is safe. We needed to keep scoring, and certain plays could have been done more effectively.
Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson were vital players in Cincinnati’s comeback, with Steer hitting a big two-run homer against Johnson in the seventh to give the Reds a 6-5 lead. The Reds (74-78) are already 4-0 versus the Braves this season.
Jake Fraley ignited the Reds’ revival with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, which was followed by two more in the sixth against Chavez. Steer, who now has 20 home runs and 25 thefts, joined Elly De La Cruz as the first Reds teammates to reach 20 home runs and 20 steals since Barry Larkin and Eric Davis in 1996. “I try to show up every day and help this team win,” said Steer. “Tonight was a big moment, and while I haven’t been as consistent as I’d like to be, it felt nice to pull through.
Atlanta starter Grant Holmes made his first start since August 14 and went four innings, giving two runs and five hits. Snitker lauded Holmes, stating, “He gave us everything we needed.” However, Snitker admitted to a few costly defensive mistakes. The Reds’ starter Brandon Williamson left the game in the second inning due to an elbow injury, but Brent Suter (1-0) won and Alexis Díaz collected his 28th save of the season. David Bell, the Reds’ manager, confirmed Williamson will be tested further.
Marcell Ozuna had two hits for Atlanta, bringing his average to.303, but he is still in a power slump, having gone 26 games without a home run and 19 without an RBI. In better news for the Braves, Ozzie Albies has begun a rehab assignment and may rejoin the team for an upcoming series against the Miami Marlins.
