Duvall hits 2-run HR as Smyly, Braves walk past Reds 3-2
ATLANTA (AP) - Adam Duvall hit a two-run homer, 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 in a matchup of second-place teams on Tuesday night.
Drew Smyly (8-3) recovered after allowing a two-run home run to Aristides Aquino in the second inning. Smyly allowed two runs on only two hits and two walks and seven strikeouts in six innings. The left-hander won his sixth consecutive decision.
Will Smith gave up a one-out double to Kyle Farmer in the ninth. Smith walked Eugenio Suárez before pinch-hitter Mike Moustakas hit into a game-ending double play. Smith earned his 23rd save in 26 chances.
Duvall's homer, his 25th, tied the game in the fourth.
The Braves began the night two games behind Philadelphia in the NL East. The Reds were six games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central.
Heath Hembree (2-7) and Amir Garrett combined to walk three batters in the sixth, helping the Braves break a 2-2 tie.
Atlanta Braves' Adam Duvall watches his two-run home run during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hembree gave up a single to Austin Riley before walking Dansby Swanson. With one out, Garrett issued back-to-back walks to Joc Pederson and Vogt, forcing in a run.
Reds starter Sonny Gray allowed two runs with eight strikeouts in five innings.
Braves right-hander Luke Jackson walked Suárez with two outs in the seventh before surviving a scare when Shogo Akiyama's fly ball was caught at the right field wall by Jorge Soler.
Left-hander Tyler Matzek struck out Joey Votto on a called third strike to end the eighth with runners on first and second.
The Reds' eighth was extended when they successfully appealed the call on the field that pinch-runner Tyler Naquin was forced out at first base on Tyler Stephenson's lineout to shortstop Dansby Swanson. The call was overturned when the replay showed Naquin beat Swanson's throw to first base.
The attendance was 24,432. The Braves, who began allowing full capacity on May 7, before many teams, began the night leading the majors in total home attendance (1,644,081) and average per game (29,358).
TRAINER´S ROOM
Reds: OF/IF Nick Senzel (left knee inflammation) has played five games in the outfield and one at DH in his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. Manager David Bell said Senzel will see time in the infield while playing two or three more games before being activated. Bell said RHP Tejay Antone (right forearm strain) needs "a few more" rehab games after feeling no pain in his first outing with Louisville.
Braves: Manager Brian Snitker said C Travis d'Arnaud (left thumb strain) is expected to be activated and return to the starting lineup for Wednesday night's game. ... OF Eddie Rosario (abdominal strain), acquired from Minnesota on July 30, began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett. ... RHP Shane Greene was designated for assignment and LHP A.J. Minter was recalled from Gwinnett. Greene had an 8.47 ERA in 19 games. ... 1B Freddie Freeman (upper respiratory infection) returned after missing one start and exiting after the first inning of another game.
UP NEXT
The Reds will send LHP Wade Miley (9-4, 2.75) to the mound to face Braves RHP Touki Toussaint (1-2, 4.43) on Wednesday. Miley is 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA in seven career games, including six starts, against Atlanta. Toussaint will look for his first win since his first start of 2021 on July 20. He will be making his first career start against the Reds.
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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Drew Smyly works against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cincinnati Reds' Aristides Aquino gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cincinnati Reds' Shogo Akiyama runs to first base after hitting a ground ball in the fifth inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. Akiyama was out at first base. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cincinnati Reds center fielder Shogo Akiyama makes a sliding catch on a fly ball hit by Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto (19) follows through on a double during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Braves center fielder Joc Pederson (22) can't reach a two-run home run by Cincinnati Reds' Aristides Aquino during the second inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Cincinnati Reds' Aristides Aquino follows through on two-run home run during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
