Cincinnati Reds Fall to Braves 5-4

Apr 25, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) reacts after a strike against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Momentum doesn’t always travel. The Cincinnati Reds (11-12) found that out as they fell to the Atlanta Braves (15-7) 5-4 Friday night at Turner Field.

Pitcher Homer Bailey (1-2) took to the mound for the Reds Friday. That is where the trouble started as the $106 million dollar pitcher was only able to go 6 innings allowing 9 hits and 5 earned runs on a night where his offense came so close, but couldn’t quite get the job finished.

Bailey gave up three runs in the first inning, the scoring didn’t stop there. Another run in the second and third innings gave the Braves a 5-0 lead early as Bailey settled down.

Cincinnati’s offense would come alive in the sixth and seventh innings to steal the momentum back from the Braves. A single to center by Jay Bruce in the 6th inning scored Joey Votto for the Reds first run of the game. Neftali Soto grounded out into a double play, that allowed Brandon Phillips to score in the process cutting the Reds deficit to three runs.

The seventh inning would see the Reds offense strike again. Billy Hamilton hit a double to center field that scored Devin Mesoraco, who upon rounding third appeared to pull a hamstring. The Reds confirmed the injury after the game. After Hamilton’s double Joey Votto came to the plate hitting a single to center scoring Hamilton, that cut the Reds deficit to 1 run.

Unfortunately that is all the Reds offense had Friday night as the Braves bullpen dominated the Reds in the 8th inning. There was a chance in the 9th inning as Roger Bernadina reached base, Zach Cozart walked putting the tying run in scoring position. The next two batters struck out, bringing Votto to the plate who would ground out to third.

Cincinnati had their chances Friday night but could not capitalize, Votto being thrown out at home in the first inning could have been the tying run they needed. What the Reds need though is for Homer Bailey to find his form.

Cincinnati and Atlanta return to the diamond Saturday at 7:10pm, Mike Leake (2-1) is on the mound for the Reds.