It was a good thing for Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani that Tucker Barnhart hit a home run in the sixth inning on Wednesday afternoon at Great American Ball Park. The two-run shot not only provided a lead, it allowed DeSclafani to pitch eight innings as the Reds took a 6-3 victory over the Braves and claimed two of three games in the series.
Braves starter Lucas Harrell took a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning when Cincinnati erupted for a four-run rally. With one out, Jose Peraza hit a two-run single to center field that scored Jay Bruce and Eugenio Suarez. Two batters later, Barnhart put the Reds ahead with a two-run homer to right field. Manager Bryan Price would have pinch-hit for DeSclafani, who was hitting ninth behind Barnhart, had they not taken the lead.
“I told [DeSclafani] the other day that he needs to pitch more, because I seem to drive in some runs when he pitches,” said Barnhart, who is batting .345 in his past 18 games. “[Harrell] threw me two sliders there before the heater. I was lucky to put a good swing on it. I feel really good at the plate right now. I’m just trying to keep it rolling.”
Harrell finished with four earned runs and seven hits over six innings, with three walks and three strikeouts.
“Wheels came off right there,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He did a good job of keeping us in the ballgame for five innings. Obviously stayed with him too long.”
DeSclafani pitched eight innings for the second time this season and allowed two earned runs and eight hits, with no walks and three strikeouts. He is 5-0 with a 2.50 ERA in eight starts this season.
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