Braves Blank Reds as Smith-Shawver Carries No-Hitter Deep
Atlanta, GA – The Atlanta Braves defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 last night in a game dominated by Braves rookie pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver. The young right-hander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, only to have it broken up by a clean single from Reds third baseman Santiago Espinal.
Smith-Shawver was masterful through seven innings, striking out five and walking four. He threw 60 of his 99 pitches for strikes, showcasing impressive control and poise for a pitcher in just his 11th major league start. The 22-year-old was aiming for what would have been the first no-hitter in the MLB this season and the Braves’ first since Kent Mercker’s in 1994.
The Braves’ offense provided Smith-Shawver with enough support to secure the win. Matt Olson drove in two runs with an inside-the-park home run in the third inning. The play was marred by an unfortunate injury to Reds rookie left fielder Tyler Callihan, who broke his left forearm crashing into the wall attempting to catch Olson’s flyball. Alex Verdugo also contributed with an RBI double in the third, and Austin Riley added an RBI single, later scoring on Olson’s homer.
For the Reds, it was a tough night. Starting pitcher Brady Singer allowed four runs on seven hits through six innings. Offensively, beyond Espinal’s eighth-inning single, they couldn’t muster any threat. Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz went 0-for-4, ending his 23-game on-base streak.
Key Takeaways:
- Smith-Shawver’s Stellar Performance: The Braves rookie was the story of the night, showcasing his potential with a dominant outing.
- Espinal Breaks Up No-Hitter: The Reds third baseman provided his team’s only hit in the eighth inning.
- Injury for Callihan: The Reds lost their rookie left fielder to a broken forearm.
- Olson’s Inside-the-Park Homer: A pivotal play that extended the Braves’ lead.
- De La Cruz’s Streak Ends: The Reds’ young star was held hitless.
Looking Ahead:
The Cincinnati Reds (18-18) will aim to bounce back and break their three-game losing streak as they continue their series against the Atlanta Braves (16-18) tonight at Truist Park. The pitching matchup is slated to feature Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (2-0, 2.84 ERA) against Braves left-hander Chris Sale (1-3, 4.84 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM EDT.
