Offensive trend continues for Braves in 3-2 loss to Reds

CINCINNATI — Starting pitcher Bryce Elder surrendered two runs in 6⅔ innings — and one scored on a home run off a reliever — but the Braves suffered a 3-2 loss to the Reds on Friday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

The club is averaging just 3.2 runs in games following a 10-plus run performance.

“It’s just baseball,” manager Brian Snitker said of the Braves plating two runs on seven hits a day after scoring 12 runs on 13 knocks. “I can’t point to anything. It’s probably the next day starter. (Reds pitcher Brady Singer) was tough on us.”

Elder held the Reds in check until the sixth inning, when singles from Will Benson and Matt McLain — the latter of which came with two outs — gave the club a 1-0 lead.

The Reds added to their advantage a frame later, as a leadoff walk from Elder and two-out home run off reliever Dylan Dodd extended the Braves’ deficit to 3-0. The club pulled Elder with two outs after the right-hander threw only 83 pitches, and the Reds immediately cashed in.

Snitker said he saw Elder starting to miss with his command — although four of his six pitches during the previous two at-bats landed in the strike zone — which led to the early exit. He denied the idea that the club is managing his workload after he tossed 108, 100 and 101 pitches in three of his previous four starts.

Elder shared that he is always willing to throw more pitches, but he “does not disagree” with his manager’s decision.

“When he tells me to pitch, I’m gonna go pitch,” Elder said. “And when he tells me that I’m done, I’m done.”

The 26-year-old turned in one of his stronger starts of the season, with five strikeouts and just two walks through 6⅔ innings. He attributed the success to attacking the strike zone, instead of attempting to bait batters by dotting the area around it.

“I just think I thew more strikes, said Elder, who did so at a 63.9% clip. “Throwing more strikes kind of made them make decisions (and) made them swing early. I kind of just accepted if I’m gonna get beat, I’m gonna get beat with this. I’m not gonna back (myself) in a corner again and then get beat with one hit. They were going to have to string some together.”

The Braves had opportunities to score — with seven hits and three walks — but they struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position. The club finished 1-for-9 in those situations, including stranding the tying run at second base in the ninth inning.

The Braves gave themselves a fighting chance in the frame with a leadoff walk drawn by Marcell Ozuna followed by consecutive singles by Michael Harris II (2-for-4) and Ozzie Albies (1-for-3), but Reds closer Emilio Pagán settled in. He retired Eli White, Luke Williams and Jurickson Profar — who is 1-for-10 in the series with one walk and two strikeouts — to secure the Reds’ 3-2 victory.