Reds lose game, possibly more. ATL 5, CIN 4

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Joey Votto had a walk, a single, a double, an RBI and a run scored – in other words, a typical Votto night – so he gets the nod. The game saw both Todd Frazier and Devin Mesoraco removed from the game due to apparent injury, as well as manager Bryan Price trying to see how many substitutions he could make in the late innings. One encouraging note – the Reds fell behind 5-0 early against a very good pitching team, and battled back. That's always a good sign.

Honorable mentions go out to Brandon Phillips for a single, double and run scored, and to the Reds bullpen for shutting the Braves down in the late innings, keeping the Reds in the game. It's the little things sometimes.

Key Plays

• The Reds threatened in the top of the first with a one out Votto double followed by a Phillips single. They were unable to cash in, however, when Votto was thrown out at home on an ill-advised scoring attempt off of a Jay Bruce fly ball to right field.

• The Braves struck in the bottom of the first, when B.J. Upton and Freddie Freeman reached base on back to back singles, followed by a Justin Upton home run. 3-0 Braves.

• An inning later, the Braves added another run from an Andrelton Simmons double, followed two batters later by a Jason Heyward RBI single. 4-0 Braves.

• The Braves struck again in the third, when Freeman singled again, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on an Evan Gattis single. 5-0 Braves.

• The Reds finally got on the board in the top of the sixth inning. Votto led off the inning with a walk, naturally. Phillips followed with a double, and then Bruce drove Votto in with a single to center field. The next batter, Neftali Soto, who entered the game to replace the injured Todd Frazier, grounded into a double play that scored Phillips. 5-3 Braves.

• In the top of the seventh, the Reds dented the plate again, but it would prove costly. Mesoraco continued his hot hitting ways by singling and advancing on a wild pitch. He then scored on a Billy Hamilton double, but appeared to hurt his hamstring badly as he rounded third. He was removed from the game immediately. A batter later, Votto singled, scoring Hamilton. 5-4 Braves.

• Braves uber-reliever Craig Kimbrel entered the game to pitch the ninth inning. Roger Bernadina led off the inning with a single. Zack Cozart followed with a four pitch walk. Brayan Pena then struck out after two bunt attempts, and then Chris Heisey was called out on strikes on at least one questionable call from the home plate umpire. Votto then grounded out to third base on a play that appeared to pull Freeman's foot off the first base bag. After further review, the call on the field was confirmed. Game over. Braves win 5-4.

Kind of a strange looking Fangraph:

<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2014-04-25&team=Braves&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2014-04-25&team=Braves&dh=0&season=2014">FanGraphs</a></span>

Other Notes:

• Per C. Trent Rosecrans, Santana had given up two earned run on the season prior to tonight. Tonight, he gave up four earned runs.

• The Reds are now 1-7 in series opening games. They have also yet to win on a Friday.

• Brian Williams rapping Gin and Juice? Brian Williams rapping Gin and Juice.

• Tunes: Now if you feel you can't go on, because all your hope is gone, reach out, Red Reporter will be there.