Mesoraco's walk-off double lifts Reds over Braves
CINCINNATI -- Pinch-hitter Devin Mesoraco hit an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Reds a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Braves on Tuesday, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Hot-hitting Reds catcher Brayan Pena had three hits, including a one-out single in the ninth against Jason Grilli. With pitcher Michael Lorenzen called in to pinch-run for Pena, Mesoraco sharply lined Grilli's first pitch to left field for a double.
"I knew he was going to come after me. I was looking for a first-pitch fastball," said Mesoraco, the All-Star catcher who has been limited to only pinch-hitting since April 12 because of an impingement in his left hip.
Video: ATL@CIN: Mesoraco on his game-winning hit
Trucking all the way from first base, Lorenzen scored without a play at the plate as the cutoff throw from left fielder Jonny Gomes was bobbled by strong-armed shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
"[Mesoraco] hit the ball right in the corner there," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Nine times out of 10, Simba makes that exchange and he's out by 20 feet. Today, we didn't make that exchange."
For the second straight game, both starting pitchers did not figure in the final decision. Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz gave up three runs (two earned), six hits and four walks over 6 2/3 nnings with seven strikeouts.
Video: ATL@CIN: Foltynewicz fans seven in solid outing
For the Reds, Anthony DeSclafani allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings with three walks and five strikeouts. Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to win after being the losing pitcher the last two games.
Video: ATL@CIN: DeSclafani whiffs Markakis to end the inning
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Folty's W erased by his own E: After being given a chance to complete seven innings despite throwing 95 pitches through the first five innings, Foltynewicz's bid to win each of the first three starts of his career was essentially doomed by the errant throw to second base he made after fielding Zack Cozart's bunt. The rookie's solid 104-pitch outing ended two batters later when Marlon Byrd produced a game-tying sacrifice fly. More >
Video: ATL@CIN: Cozart reaches after Foltynewicz's error
Frazier goes deep, again: There were two outs in the bottom of the first inning when Todd Frazier lifted a 2-0 Foltynewicz pitch for a two-run homer to left field and a 2-0 Reds lead. It was Frazier's 11th homer of the season, which placed him back into a tie for the National League lead with Washington's Bryce Harper. More >
Video: ATL@CIN: Frazier hammers a two-run shot to left
Grilli falters in return: After opting not to use Grilli over the previous three days as he dealt with back discomfort, Gonzalez uncharacteristically brought his closer into a tie game on the road. Grilli opened his outing with a strikeout. But he was doomed when the red-hot Pena and Mesoraco followed with consecutive hits. More >
Pena scorching at the plate: In his 3-for-4 game, it was Pena's hits in the seventh and ninth innings that set up Cincinnati's last two runs. He has a five-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games while batting .412 (21-for-51). More >
Video: ATL@CIN: Pena lines a single to right for third hit
QUOTABLE
"That was fun. I wish I could do that every time. Pena gets on and I'll pinch-run, bam, let's do it. I was high-kneeing it. I was running as hard as I could. First-to-home is the best. In college, I always thought the most fun was going from first-to-home. It's the best feeling sprinting around the bases like that and scoring." -- Lorenzen, on scoring the winning run
"When [Foltynewicz] goes to his side [sessions], he'll build on the good stuff that he did, and also work on the things he needs to work on. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good start for him." -- Gonzalez, on Foltynewicz's start
WHAT'S NEXT
Braves: Eric Stults will take the mound for Atlanta during Wednesday night's series finale against the Reds at 7:10 p.m. ET. Stults surrendered a pair of home runs and a season-high six runs when he opposed Cincinnati on May 2 at Turner Field.
Reds: Raisel Iglesias will be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to start for Cincinnati. Since his big league debut on April 12 against the Cardinals, in four starts for Louisville, Iglesias was 1-2 with a 3.80 ERA. In 21 1/3 innings, he gave up 21 hits and seven walks while striking out 11.
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