Bases-loaded walk, Duvall homer lift Braves over Reds

The Braves used a bases-loaded walk to push past the Reds 3-2 Tuesday at Truist Park. It was their sixth win in seven games.

Here are five takeaways from Tuesday:

1. The Braves scored the go-ahead run in the sixth, when catcher Stephen Vogt drew a bases-loaded walk against Reds lefty Amir Garrett. Four of the first five Braves reached to open the inning. Outfielder Joc Pederson and Vogt drew consecutive walks off Garrett, who entered with two inherited runners. Third baseman Austin Riley opened the inning with a single and scored the winning run.

Pederson and Vogt were acquired as the second half opened in mid-July, well ahead of the four trades general manager Alex Anthopoulos made on deadline day.

“We talk about how these additions have lengthened our lineup,” manager Brian Snitker said. “You won’t get two better at-bats than those two left-handers (Pederson and Vogt) off a really tough left-handed reliever. It’s a deeper lineup, that’s for sure.”

2. Braves starter Drew Smyly surrendered a two-run homer to Aristides Aquino in the second frame. Fourteen of the next 17 Reds were retired in order. Tyler Stephenson reached on Riley’s error that ultimately didn’t hurt the Braves. Joey Votto reached on a walk and was erased with an inning-ending double play in the fourth. Stephenson’s sixth-inning walk proved harmless.

3. The numbers suggest Smyly shouldn’t pitch the third time through the order. Opponents hit .250 against him the first time around. They hit .241 the second time. Their average leaps to .352 the third time through the order.

This time, Smyly found success against the top of the Reds’ lineup in the sixth. Despite a walk, Smyly retired Jonathan India, Nick Castellanos and Votto to finish his outing. It was the first time Smyly completed six innings since June 25 – also against the Reds.

“I was pretty excited when Snit let me hit in the fifth and could get back out there in the sixth,” Smyly said. “That was fun. My parents and dad were at the game tonight for the first time. My dad has been pretty ill all season and this was his first game seeing me in a while. I was excited to get a little deeper in the game and come out with a win.”

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

4. Anthopoulos’ move to reacquire Adam Duvall continues paying dividends. The outfielder hit a 433-foot home run off a slider from Reds starter Sonny Gray to tie the game at two in the fourth. It was Duvall’s 25th homer of the season and sixth at Truist Park. Duvall has three homers and 10 RBIs in 10 games with the Braves.

5. The Braves’ bullpen had a hiccup two games ago when closer Will Smith blew a save. The blunder shouldn’t overshadow how effective the group has been recently. It added four scoreless innings Tuesday.

Luke Jackson lowered his ERA to 2.09 with a scoreless seventh. Jackson has allowed one hit and no runs across five appearances this month (five innings). Newcomer Richard Rodriguez kept his 0.00 ERA as a Brave, though it wasn’t easy. He departed with two on and two out in the eighth, turning the game over to Tyler Matzek, who struck out Votto to end the inning. Smith recorded the save with an assist from first baseman Freddie Freeman, who started a game-ending double play.

“I feel like everyone on our staff was great tonight,” shortstop Dansby Swanson said. “Rich Rod was great. Luke Jackson was great. Matzek has been unbelievable the past couple weeks. And then Smitty closing it out. Just a great job by them. I feel like we filled up the zone tonight, made them earn everything.”

Stat to know

6 (Tuesday marked the sixth time Smyly completed six innings in 20 starts.)

Quotable

“He’s been really good for us, especially over the past couple months. It feels like we’ve won a lot of games that he’s pitched. It’s definitely a pleasure playing behind him.” – Swanson on Smyly

Flashing the leather

Pederson made perhaps his best defensive play as a Brave in the fifth inning.

Up next

Touki Toussaint (1-2, 4.43) will face lefty Wade Miley (9-4, 2.75) in the second game of the series Wednesday.