Reds beat Braves 6-3, take series between NL’s worst teams

CINCINNATI (AP) – Tucker Barnhart and Joey Votto hit two-run homers, and the Cincinnati Reds rallied to beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3 on Wednesday and win the season series between the NL’s worst teams.

Barnhart’s homer completed a four-run rally in the sixth off Lucas Harrell (1-2), who had allowed only three singles entering the inning. Votto extended his post-All Star break surge with his 16th homer off Ian Krol in the seventh.

Votto is 11 for 20 in the last six games with two homers, a double and six walks.

Anthony DeSclafani (5-0) kept up his streak of solid starts since returning from a strained oblique that sidelined him for most of the first half. The right-hander gave up eight hits, including Freddie Freeman’s homer, in eight innings. DeSclafani is 5-0 in his last six starts with a 2.61 ERA.

Adonis Garcia led off the ninth with a homer off Ross Ohlendorf, the 68th homer allowed by Cincinnati’s bullpen – by far the most in the majors.

Cincinnati won four of seven this season against the Braves, who have the league’s worst record at 33-62. Cincinnati is 36-59.

Atlanta was trying to win back-to-back road series for the first time this season but couldn’t hold a 2-0 lead. They Braves are 19-26 on the road overall.

Jose Peraza’s two-run single tied it in the sixth, and Barnhart followed with his fourth homer.

Freeman emerged from a slump with his first-inning homer, his 17th this season. Freeman was 1 for 19 heading into the game. Erick Aybar doubled in the fifth – he’s in a 5-for-36 slump – and scored on Chase d’Arnaud’s single for a 2-0 lead.