September 9 – The Cincinnati Reds did a favor to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Now, the Reds will try to turn the tables on the Braves in a makeup game in Atlanta on Monday.
The Reds (69-75) scored two runs in the ninth inning to beat the Mets 3-1 on Sunday, ending New York’s nine-game winning streak. The Braves (78-65) beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in 11 innings to tie the Mets for the final National League wild-card playoff spot.
“That was probably one of the two or three toughest games I’ve ever been a part of,” Atlanta head coach Brian Snitker said after Sunday’s win. “It’s great to see how we can stay on top of this problem and keep solving it.”
The Reds won the first two games of this rain-affected series in Atlanta. This time the makeup was on July 24 for the second game of the doubles tournament.
The Braves will keep Charlie Morton (8-7, 4.24 ERA) in the field. Cincinnati plans to start Nick Martinez (7-6, 3.67).
Morton beat the Colorado Rockies in his last start on Wednesday, giving up two runs in five innings and striking out eight. In his last five starts, Morton has allowed 10 runs in 27 2/3 innings and has an ERA of 3.25.
“For the most part, I’ll swing and miss when I need to,” Morton said after his final start. “I just wish I could be more efficient. I want to get further into the game.”
In 21 career games against Cincinnati, Morton has an 8-8 record with a 4.15 ERA. He has yet to face the Reds this year.
Martinez has made 38 appearances this season, including 12 starts, but he hasn’t let off a single since Aug. 2. He has allowed 4 runs (earned), 6 hits, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. He has a 1-1 record and a 3.86 ERA in four career starts against the Braves (three starts).
The Reds placed reliever Sam Mohr on the 15-day injured list on Sunday because of a left shoulder injury. Moore suffered shoulder problems during a series in Toronto three weeks ago, and things got worse during warmups in Friday’s overtime game against the Mets.
Moore went through a similar situation after being acquired by the Reds in a deadline trade last year. Moore has appeared in 48 games as a reliever this season and has an ERA of 3.35.
“I obviously don’t want it to get worse like it did last offseason when it messed up my offseason preparation and led to the issues that I had to deal with at the beginning of the season,” Moore said.
The Reds replaced Mauer with right-hander Casey Legumina, who had made three relief appearances and had an ERA of 10.50.
Cincinnati center fielder T.J. Friedel was deemed healthy and given rest after leaving the game in the seventh inning on Saturday because of shortness of breath. He spent several hours at a local hospital before being released. He entered Sunday’s game as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game to play center field.
But the Reds will likely be without second baseman Jonathan India, who left the game after batting in the sixth inning because of soreness in his left elbow.
–Visual-level media
