CINCINNATI (AP) — Kyle Muller earned his first career victory, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley hit solo homers, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 on Sunday to split a four-game series.
Muller (1-1) who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game to make his second career start, retired the first seven batters he faced and cruised through five scoreless innings, allowing one hit with a career-high nine strikeouts.
Five relievers followed Muller, with only Shane Greene allowing a hit, to complete the two-hitter. Ender Inciarte’s catch against the wall in center robbed Joey Votto of an extra-base hit off Greene in the eighth.
The Braves went 8-for-53 with runners in scoring position in the series, but a pair of two-out RBI singles by Acuña and Freddie Freeman got them on the board in the third.
Acuña’s solo homer to center, his 21st of the season, made the score 3-0 in the fifth.
Riley led off the sixth with his 13th homer of the season, his first since June 13.
The struggles continued at Great American Ball Park for right-hander Tyler Mahle (7-3), who came in with a 6.93 ERA in five starts at home and a 2.01 ERA on the road. He gave up four runs on six hits in six innings, walking one and striking out seven.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Reds: OF Jesse Winker was held out of the lineup as a precaution after leaving Saturday’s game with a right hip contusion. He walked as a pinch-hitter in the seventh then took over in left field. ... Sonny Gray tossed three scoreless innings in his rehab start at Triple-A Louisville on Saturday and could rejoin the rotation this week. “He responded well," manager David Bell said. “Physically, everything went well, so he's on track.”
UP NEXT
The Reds continue their 11-game homestand with a makeup game against the Phillies on Monday. The teams' June 2 game was postponed due to rain. The Braves begin a six-game homestand against the Mets on Tuesday.
