Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Rookie sensation Jason Heyward's two-out double in the bottom of the ninth scored Martin Prado with the winning run, as the Atlanta Braves overcame a game-tying solo homer by pinch-hitter Chris Heisey in the top of the frame to edge the Cincinnati Reds, 5-4, in the opener of a two-game series at Turner Field.
Jason Heyward Does It Again: Hits Walkoff Double In Ninth To Edge Reds
Heyward finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and two runs scored, while Brian McCann cracked a two-run homer for the Braves, who have won two straight and seven of their last nine overall. Chipper Jones added two hits and knocked in a pair in the win.
Kenshin Kawakami did not figure in the decision despite throwing six innings of five-hit ball with five strikeouts and one walk. He left with a blister on his foot. Billy Wagner (4-0) was credited with the win despite surrendering the game-tying run.
Scott Rolen turned in a 3-for-5 effort with a pair of doubles and two RBI, while Brandon Phillips drove in a run and scored one for Cincinnati, which had a four-game winning streak halted.
Aaron Harang allowed eight hits and four runs with a walk and struck out four in six innings. Nick Masset (3-2) was saddled with the loss.
With Cincinnati trailing 4-3, Wagner came on for the top of the ninth and gave up a homer to Heisey leading off before Orlando Cabrera singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Phillips. Joey Votto walked, but Wagner settled down to strike out the next two hitters.
In the home half, Masset came on and retired the first two batters, before giving up a base hit to Prado. Heyward stepped in and worked a 3-2 count, fouled off a tough curveball, then lined the game-winning double to right.
“Anything close, swing the bat and not go down looking,” Heyward said about his approach to the 3-2 count. “It’s important to win that game after we had the lead and losing it. It was important to pick up our pitchers.”
Prado scored without a throw to the plate.
“I was just trying to go out there and attack him,” Masset said about his approach to Heyward. “After the first two outs, I thought I was going pretty good. That one pitch to Heyward kind of stayed up.”
Atlanta opened the scoring in the first, pushing across three runs. Jones’ double to right brought in Heyward, who reached with two-bagger and McCann followed by hammering a two-run shot to right. Jones’ RBI base hit in the fifth put the Braves up 4-0.
Cincinnati scored three times in the eighth off the Braves bullpen. Takashi Saito started the inning and gave up a double to Phillips and a single to Votto that put runners on the corners with one down. Rolen then laced a double down the left field line that scored two and Saito was lifted for Eric O'Flaherty.
The situational lefty struck out Jay Bruce, then walked Jonny Gomes before Drew Stubbs grounded an RBI single up the middle to make it a 4-3 game.
The Reds won six of nine versus the Braves last year, sweeping the only three- game meeting at Turner Field from September 4-6...Kawakami hasn’t won a game since August 31 of last year...Atlanta finished 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven...Cincinnati went 3-for-12 with RISP and left 10.
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