The Cincinnati Reds handed the Atlanta Braves a 4-0 shutout loss at Truist Park on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Brandon Williamson held Atlanta to three hits over six scoreless innings, while Elly De La Cruz, Eugenio Suárez, and Dane Myers all went deep to supply the Reds' offense. Despite eight strikeouts from starter JR Ritchie, the Braves' bats produced no runs across nine innings, leaving Drake Baldwin and Michael Harris II — each with two hits — with nothing to show for their efforts.

Williamson Shuts Down Atlanta's Lineup

Williamson was the story on the mound. The Reds left-hander worked six innings, allowing just three hits and zero walks while striking out two. He did not allow a runner to reach scoring position with any real threat, keeping Atlanta off-balance throughout his outing. Brock Burke, Tejay Antone, and Emilio Pagán followed out of the Cincinnati bullpen, each contributing a scoreless inning to complete the shutout. The Reds' pitching staff did not allow a single run from the first pitch to the last.

Ritchie Pitched Well Enough, but the Bullpen Struggled

Ritchie was not the problem for Atlanta. The right-hander went five innings, striking out eight Reds hitters while allowing just four hits and one earned run. His stuff was sharp, and on most nights, that kind of performance gives the Braves a chance to win. Tuesday was not most nights.

The trouble came after Ritchie departed. Owen Murphy entered in relief and was touched for six hits and three earned runs across three innings, effectively deciding the game. Didier Fuentes closed out the ninth with a clean inning — one strikeout, no hits, no walks — but the damage was long done by then.

Cincinnati's Power Carries the Night

Three Reds hitters supplied the long ball to account for all four runs scored.

  • Elly De La Cruz went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI, providing the biggest punch in Cincinnati's lineup.
  • Eugenio Suárez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run for one RBI.
  • Dane Myers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run for one RBI.
  • JJ Bleday added two hits in four at-bats to keep the pressure on Atlanta's pitching staff throughout the game.

Bright Spots That Led Nowhere

Baldwin and Harris each collected two hits on the night — the only Braves with multiple-hit performances. Baldwin went 2-for-3 and Harris went 2-for-4, but neither drove in a run nor scored. Atlanta's lineup could not string hits together when it mattered, and Williamson's command neutralized any momentum the Braves tried to build.

What's Next for the Braves

Atlanta will look to bounce back quickly with the series against Cincinnati continuing at Truist Park. The Braves will need their offense to convert their hits into runs and will be counting on more stability from the bullpen after Murphy's rough outing in the middle innings Tuesday night.