Bailey Struggles As Reds Lose To Braves.

For the four straight game the Cincinnati Reds offense hit around the starting pitcher from the opposition in the first inning but this time they couldn’t come up with anything as the Braves were able to overcome high pitch count from starter Mike Minor to defeat the Reds 5-2 Saturday late afternoon in Atlanta.

With bases loaded with one out in the top of the first Jay Bruce stepped in and wasn’t able to deliver striking out and then Todd Frazier lined out to third wasting an opportunity to kick the door in early. After Homer Bailey went 1-2-3 in bottom inning the second inning got off to a good start Zack Cozart tripled to center to leadoff the inning then Corky Miller ground out to first which was good enough to score Cozart to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning Chris Heisey doubled with two outs then Shin Soo-Choo who already extended his hitting streak to 11 games singled to center scoring Heisey to make it 2-0. Bailey was crusing along until in the bottom inning of the fourth allowed a homerun to Catcher Brain McCain to make it 2-1

Fifth inning is where Homer got hit around with the pitcher Minor up with runners on 2nd and 3rd and only one out he grounded it to third over Frazier and down the line for a two run double to give the Braves their first lead off the game at 3-2. From then on the Reds offense couldn’t get anything going as the Braves were able to tact on two additional runs.

Homer’s final line six innings pitched, allowed four earned runs on ten hits while striking out seven. Dropping his record to 5-8 its unfortunate because he should have more than five wins but then again this season Homer has been up and down I think he will be fine for the second half run.

One more game remaining tomorrow before the all star break Reds will sent out Tony Cingrani hoping to deliver a spilt in the four gamer against the Braves first pitch tomorrow is at 1:35pm. With the loss the Reds are 5.5 games out of first place St Louis in the central with possible being a season high six out if the Cards win tonight.