Atlanta built a four-run lead through two innings and weathered a Cincinnati rally to win 8-3 at Great American Ball Park. The Braves scored early and often, then pulled away with a four-run sixth inning to secure their second straight victory.
Michael Harris went 3-for-5 with 3 RBI to pace the Atlanta offense. Harris delivered a two-run single in the sixth inning that extended the lead to 3-8. Ronald Acuna homered in the first inning and finished 1-for-3 with 2 walks. Jorge Mateo added 2 RBI on 1-for-4 hitting.
The Braves struck first when Acuna homered to left center in the opening frame. Atlanta added three more in the second inning as Smith scored on Mateo's fielder's choice, Riley scored on Tromp's sacrifice fly, and Mateo scored on Harris's single to right. Cincinnati answered with back-to-back homers in the fourth as JJ Bleday and Nathaniel Lowe connected, then pulled within one when Stewart singled home Friedl in the fifth.
Chris Paddack took the loss for Cincinnati, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits over 5.0 innings with 3 walks and no strikeouts. His record fell to 0-7. Didier Fuentes earned the win for Atlanta with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, improving to 4-0 with a 2.49 ERA.
Atlanta improved to 38-19 and maintained first place in their division. Cincinnati fell to 29-26 after the loss.