Reds manager Jim Riggleman asked a lot of his bullpen when he pulled starter Brandon Finnegan after five innings Wednesday. The bullpen would have to hold a one-run lead for four innings – the night after pitching six innings.
The relievers weren't up to it. Kevin Shackelford, activated from the disabled list Tuesday, gave up one in the eighth and one in the ninth, and the Reds fell to the Atlanta Braves 5-4 before a crowd of 13,133 at Great American Ball Park Wednesday.
The game ended when Adam Duvall's drive was caught at the wall – maybe a foot short of game-tying home run.