CINCINNATI — Michael Harris II went 3-for-5 with three RBIs for the Atlanta Braves as they defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-3 on Friday night to open a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
Ronald Acuña Jr., who hit a game-breaking grand slam during the sixth inning of Thursday’s road win against the Boston Red Sox for his first home run since April 24, put the Braves ahead to start Friday’s matchup with the 38th leadoff homer of his MLB career.
Reds right fielder Blake Dunn prevented additional damage in the first inning. Dunn scaled the wall in right-center to rob Harris of a home run then threw out the next batter, Matt Olson, trying to stretch a single into a double.
Cincinnati starting piitcher Chris Paddack, who lost to the Braves on April 15 as a member of the Miami Marlins, issued consecutive walks to load the bases in the second. An RBI single by Harris made the score 4-0.
Paddack (0-7) remained winless after allowing four earned runs on seven hits with three walks in five innings.