Atlanta – In a tightly contested game at Truist Park, the Atlanta Braves secured a 3‑2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the tenth inning, thanks to a clutch performance by left‑hander Chris Sale and a walk‑off single by Mauricio Dubón.
Sale’s milestone performance
Sale worked 5 2/3 innings, recording ten strikeouts and becoming the first pitcher since 2013 to reach 200 strikeouts in a season nine times. The 37‑year‑old left‑hander allowed just one run on four hits, striking out Reds rookie Sal Stewart for his third strike of the night. He logged 12 pitches at 99 mph or higher out of a total of 97 throws.
Key offensive moments
Matt Olson and Austin Riley each supplied solo home runs that tied the game in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively. Olson’s blast marked his 41st of the season, while Riley’s shot evened the score at two runs apiece.
Reds right fielder Juan Brito opened the game with a solo homer off Sale, finishing 2‑for‑4 at the plate and adding his third homer of the season.
Late‑inning drama
After a scoreless ninth, the Braves loaded the bases in the top of the tenth. Dubón, who went 2‑for‑4 with a walk and extended his hitting streak to ten games, delivered a decisive RBI single that put Atlanta ahead.
Braves reliever Brent Suter (3‑2) closed the game, preserving the lead and earning the win after a scoreless tenth.
Injury update
Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was held out of the lineup following a bone bruise to his shin sustained in Tuesday’s 4‑0 loss to Cincinnati. Manager Walt Weiss noted Acuña expressed a desire to play, but the team chose caution with a postseason berth already secured.
Returning pitcher
Robert Suarez returned to the mound for the first time since June 19, after missing time with elbow inflammation. He threw 13 pitches in the seventh inning, allowing a leadoff triple to Matt McLain and a sacrifice fly to Will Banfield that gave the Reds a 2‑1 lead.
Looking ahead
Atlanta’s right‑hander Tyler Mahle (7‑10, 3.81 ERA) will make his final start before the postseason on Thursday, facing Reds right‑hander Brady Singer (6‑15, 5.67 ERA) in the series finale.
The win keeps the Braves atop the National League East and positions them well heading into the playoffs, while the Reds continue to fight for a wild‑card spot.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
