Atlanta out-homers Reds, takes series in Cincinnati
Pat Brennan, Cincinnati EnquirerSun, May 31, 2026·4 min read
Had the Atlanta Braves had some baserunners on when they hit their home runs against the Cincinnati Reds, the game might not have been as competitive.
As it was, the Braves still had enough solo home runs to out-score the Reds in a 5-2 win on Saturday, May 30 at Great American Ball Park.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
The Braves victory featured four solo home runs, including two by Ronald Acuña Jr., with Jorge Mateo and Matt Olson also providing one. The win gave Atlanta the series win over Cincinnati, and the Braves will attempt to sweep the Reds on the final day of the month.
Reds starter Brady Singer, talking with catcher Tyler Stephenson, allowed three runs in five innings on four hits, two of them solo home runs, and four walks. Singer is 2-5 with a 6.18 ERA.
The Reds fell to 29-28 overall, and 9-17 in the month of May, which started with an eight-game losing streak against the Pirates (3), Cubs (4) and Astros (1).
Singer ended up providing five innings, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks against two strikeouts before exiting with Cincinnati trailing, 3-2. JJ Bleday's two-run home run in the second inning staked Singer to a 2-1 lead, but Acuña's second solo home run in as many games tied the game at two in the third inning.
Mateo's solo shot into the upper deck in left field in the fifth inning allowed Atlanta to pull in front at 3-2.
"Obviously, I don't like the walks and obviously the homers but felt like my stuff was a little bit better," Singer said.
Olson's solo homer off reliever Brock Burke in the seventh inning doubled the Braves' lead at 4-2.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
Unlike in the series opener, Cincinnati's bullpen prevented Atlanta from pulling away by a wide margin. In the sixth inning, reliever Tejay Antone allowed a walk and a hit but kept Atlanta off the scoreboard. Burke allowed the lone run in the seventh, followed by Tony Santillan's scoreless eighth inning. Lyon Richardson and Sam Moll paired up to get through the ninth, with Richardson allowing Atlanta's fifth run.
Richardson was called up from Triple-A Louisville in response to Johnson going on the IL, and he allowed Acuña's second homer of the game.
The Reds' bats managed five hits, including a one-out Elly De La Cruz triple in the third inning and a two-out Blake Dunn double in the fifth. De La Cruz and Dunn were both stranded.
Dane Myers, the scheduled leadoff hitter for the game, was scratched before first pitch due to illness. Francona later phrased Myers' ailment as "intestinal turmoil," and said Reds medical staffers suspected food poisoning. They eventually sent Myers home.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
That meant Dunn moved up to hitting leadoff from the No. 7 spot, and T.J. Friedl was inserted into the game to hit ninth. Friedl went 0-for-3, dropping to 1-for-5 in the series with his lone hit being a bunt single in the series opener.
Friedl wasn't the only Reds hitter rendered frustrated and hitless on the night, though. Braves starter Martín Pérez (3-3) was true to form as he allowed two runs on four hits over five innings. Atlanta's bullpen then allowed just one hit and two walks over the last four innings.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) deliver a pitch in the ninth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) reacts in after the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Santillan (64) delivers a pitch in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) catches a fly ball hit by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suárez (28) fields a ground ball in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) home run sales passed Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) as he attempts to catch it in the ninth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martín Pérez (33) throws out Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) after an attempted bunt in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds right fielder Blake Dunn (59) hits a double in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds right fielder Blake Dunn (59) gestures after hitting a double in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tejay Antone (70) pitches in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves shortstop Mauricio Dubón (14) hits a base hit in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) fields a ground ball in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) catches the throw to get Atlanta Braves left fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) out at second base in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Kinley (45) pitches in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) pitches in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) fields in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) throws to first for an out in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) fields a ground ball in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) hits a base hit in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) turns a double play as Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) slides into second base in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) high fives Atlanta Braves third base coach Tommy Watkins in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) steals second base as Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) attempts to tag him out in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) and Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) speak in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) tags out Atlanta Braves shortstop Mauricio Dubón (14) in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) hits a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Fans react as Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) hits a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) rounds the bases after hitting a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) is greeted by Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) after hitting a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) pitches in the first inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) fields a ground ball before throwing to first for an out in the first inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martín Pérez (33) delivers a pitch in the first inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) hits a double in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) reacts after hitting a double in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)Atlanta Braves left fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) hits a RBI single in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)1 / 39
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) deliver a pitch in the ninth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) reacts in after the Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Santillan (64) delivers a pitch in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) catches a fly ball hit by Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suárez (28) fields a ground ball in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) home run sales passed Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) as he attempts to catch it in the ninth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martín Pérez (33) throws out Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) after an attempted bunt in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Blake Dunn (59) hits a double in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Blake Dunn (59) gestures after hitting a double in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tejay Antone (70) pitches in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves shortstop Mauricio Dubón (14) hits a base hit in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) fields a ground ball in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) catches the throw to get Atlanta Braves left fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) out at second base in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Kinley (45) pitches in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) pitches in the sixth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) fields in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) throws to first for an out in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) fields a ground ball in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) hits a base hit in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) turns a double play as Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) slides into second base in the fourth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) high fives Atlanta Braves third base coach Tommy Watkins in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves shortstop Jorge Mateo (2) gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) steals second base as Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) attempts to tag him out in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) and Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) speak in the fifth inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) tags out Atlanta Braves shortstop Mauricio Dubón (14) in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) hits a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Fans react as Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) hits a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) rounds the bases after hitting a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left fielder JJ Bleday (22) is greeted by Cincinnati Reds left fielder Spencer Steer (7) after hitting a 2-run home run in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) pitches in the first inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) fields a ground ball before throwing to first for an out in the first inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martín Pérez (33) delivers a pitch in the first inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) hits a double in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) reacts after hitting a double in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Photos: Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds
Atlanta Braves left fielder Mike Yastrzemski (18) hits a RBI single in the second inning between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, May 30, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
"They were getting a lot of first-pitch outs against us," Bleday said of the later innings. "We weren't really getting deep into counts. They've got a good bullpen. You can't always just 'auto-take' because they're gonna get ahead 0-1, you know? So, it's trying to play that fine line between not being too passive but still being somewhat aggressive."
The Reds will attempt to avoid being swept at home Sunday, May 30. Nick Lodolo (1-1, 5.57 ERA) will be opposed by Spencer Strider (3-0, 3.46 ERA), a 20-game winner for Atlanta in 2023 who has made 30 combined starts and a 10-14 overall record since that season.
First pitch of the series finale at Great American Ball Park is schedule for 1:40 p.m.
