ATLANTA (AP) — AJ Smith-Shawver’s bid for a no-hitter was broken up when Santiago Espinal led off the eighth inning with a clean single to center field, giving the Cincinnati Reds their first hit against the Atlanta Braves pitcher Monday night.
Espinal’s base hit came on the 93rd pitch from Smith-Shawver, who worked into the eighth inning for the first time as a professional.
Smith-Shawver struck out five and walked four — two in the first inning and two in the fourth. He gave up at least four hits in all four of his previous starts this season.
The right-hander got a popup and a double play to end the eighth, then was lifted after 99 pitches with Atlanta leading 4-0.
Enyel De Los Santos entered in the ninth for the Braves.
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