Hunter Greene gives up 2 hits in 7 scoreless innings as Reds cruise to 4-1 win over Lopez and Braves

BY CHARLES ODUM

TLANTA (AP) — Hunter Greene allowed just two hits in seven scoreless innings, Will Benson hit a home run and the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of their speed to beat Reynaldo López and the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Monday night.

Greene (7-4), making his first start since the All-Star Game loss, struck out seven. The right-handed pitcher has allowed two runs in his last four starts.

The Reds ended a four-game losing streak and handed the Braves their third straight defeat.

Greene said he was motivated by a speech from catcher Luke Maile when the team arrived in Atlanta.

“What he said was fantastic,” Greene said. “It definitely motivated me and I know it motivated the rest of the team.”

Reds manager David Bell said Greene “wanted to be on the mound tonight. He wanted to be the guy that needed to be there.”

Marcell Ozuna had two hits for Atlanta, including a ninth-inning single by Alexis Díaz. Ozuna scored on Eddie Rosario’s sacrifice fly. Díaz walked Adam Duvall and Sean Murphy before ending the game on Orlando Arcia’s fly ball to left field.

Cincinnati stole four bases, including two by Benson, and leads the majors with 143.

Benson, an Atlanta native, also complimented Maile, who encouraged players to “be their full selves.”

Elly De La Cruz tripled to right field in the first inning and showed his speed by scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jeimer Candelario to shallow right field.

De La Cruz singled in the third and scored from the first on Candelario’s double. De La Cruz walked and stole second — his 49th in the major leagues — in the fifth, when the Reds stole three bases.

Benson hit his 11th home run to the right in the third quarter.

López (7-4) allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings. His ERA rose to 2.12 in his second straight loss.

After being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett, the Braves’ 21-year-old second baseman, Nacho Alvarez Jr., was held hitless in his major league debut. Alvarez’s given name is Ignacio, a name he says he only hears from his mother “when she’s mad at me.”

Braves third baseman Austin Riley left the field in the ninth inning to be with his wife, who is expecting a child.

During a pre-game ceremony attended by Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Dale Murphy and other former Braves All-Stars, the logo was unveiled for the 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: 2B Ozzie Albies’ broken left wrist has been placed in a cast. He suffered the injury Sunday and was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday. Albies is expected to be out for about eight weeks but may not require surgery. “I’m just hoping for the best and the quickest recovery time,” manager Brian Snitker said. … OF Whit Merrifield was struck on the finger by a ball during infield drills before batting practice after being signed earlier Monday. X-rays were negative and Merrifield’s status is day-to-day. Merrifield, 35, was released by Philadelphia on July 12. … OF Eli White was sent to Gwinnett and OF Forrest Wall was designated for assignment.

NEXT ONE

Braves LHP Chris Sale (13-3, 2.70) will aim for his 14th win in just his second career start Tuesday night against the Reds, who have yet to announce a starter.