Cincinnati Reds' Will Benson slides safely into home to score on a single hit by Matt McLain during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Will Benson homers as Reds even series against Braves with a 3-2 win

CINCINNATI (AP) — Will Benson hit his ninth multi-run homer of the year to power the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

Left-handed batters were hitting .292 against the lefty Dylan Dodd coming into the game. With two outs in the seventh, manager Terry Francona elected to let Benson face him and Benson sent it 356 feet to left field.

Matt McLain singled to score Benson to break a scoreless tie in the sixth inning. Benson singled and stole second to set up the run.

Brady Singer (9-8) struck out a season-high 10 batters in six scoreless innings. He allowed four hits and a walk. It was his first career win over the Braves in four decisions.

Bryce Elder (4-8) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks.

Scott Barlow pitched a scoreless seventh.

Tony Santillan appeared in his major league leading 55th appearance in a scoreless eighth.

The Braves scored both their runs in the ninth. Ozzie Albies singled a run home and Luke Williams hit a sacrifice fly.

Emilio Pagan got his 23rd save in 26 chances.

The Braves’ Austin Riley struck out four times, leaving three runners on base.

Key moment

Singer pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning.

Key stat

Benson has two hits, both home runs against left handed pitchers in 17 at bats.

Up next

Chase Burns (0-3, 6.26) will face Spencer Strider (5-8, 3.71) in the first MLB game in the state of Tennessee in the MLB Speedway Classic.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Cincinnati Reds’ Will Benson (30) and Spencer Steer (7) celebrate Benson’s two-run homer during the seventh inning of a baseball game againt the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds’ Will Benson reacts after scoring on a single hit by Matt McLain during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) and left fielder Will Benson (30) celebrate winning a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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