CINCINNATI - Atlanta's bullpen blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning, but Ender Inciarte hit a sacrifice fly in the 11th that sent the Braves to a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night and evened a series between the NL's worst teams.
Nick Markakis started the winning rally with a single off Tony Cingrani (2-3) and took third on Jeff Francoeur's single off Blake Wood. Inciarte's fly to deep center broke the tie.
Mauricio Cabrera (1-0) got the last five outs for his first career win, evening the teams' season series at three games apiece. Atlanta is last in the NL at 33-61. Cincinnati is next at 35-59.
Atlanta's bullpen blew a late lead for the second time in four games. Jim Johnson gave up four hits and a pair of runs in the ninth. Zack Cozart tied it with a single. Johnson, who is filling in as the closer, has blown three of his five save chances.
Gordon Beckham emerged from a deep slump by hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning for a 4-2 lead. Beckham broke his 0-for-16 slump with a single in the first, and then connected off reliever Michael Lorenzen for his first homer since July 9.
Atlanta's Tyrell Jenkins got through a rough first inning and settled in during his second major league start. He walked Joey Votto for the first of three times, and then gave up Jay Bruce's 19th homer to center field. Jenkins allowed four hits and four walks in six innings.
Bruce's homer gave him a team-high 66 RBIs. The Reds are looking to trade the right fielder this month - they had a deal fall through in the offseason.
The Braves tied it in the second after loading the bases on a single, an error and a walk. Erick Aybar's comebacker deflected off Cody Reed into right field for an RBI single, and Bruce bobbled the ball while retrieving it, allowing another run to score.
SO LONG
Braves interim manager Brian Snitker was ejected in the 10th. Adonis Garcia singled and was picked off by Cingrani. Snitker appeared to argue for a balk and was ejected by Angel Hernandez.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: RHP Shae Simmons felt good a day after he threw nearly 30 pitches in a simulated game. He'll start a rehab assignment in a couple of days. Simmons is recovering from Tommy John surgery a year ago.
Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips was back in the starting lineup. He missed two games with a strained right calf, returned on Monday night and left after tweaking it in the fifth inning. ... RHP Jon Moscot had Tommy John surgery. He went 0-3 with an 8.02 ERA in five starts for the Reds. He also had two stints on the disabled list.
UP NEXT
Braves: Lucas Harrell (1-1) makes his fourth start. He's faced the Reds once before, allowing two runs in five innings in 2013.
Reds: Anthony DeSclafani (4-0) makes his eighth start. He's had six quality starts, most on the staff. DeSclafani is 4-0 in his last five starts with a 2.67 ERA.