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.

Brady Singer and Will Benson star for the Reds as they hold off the Braves at home.

Ozzie Albies and the Braves take on Elly De La Cruz and the Reds on July 31, 2025

Why did the Atlanta Braves hang onto their expiring veterans? President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos attempted to justify the strategy.

Despite anticipation, the Braves stayed mostly quiet: "Our goal at this deadline was to focus on guys that could help us in '26."

In typical 2025 Braves fashion, the Reds scored 8 in the 8th to tie the game at 11 apiece. However, courtesy of Pierce Johnson’s scoreless 9th, we got free baseball in Cincinnati and watched Marcell Ozuna (who is still a Brave) drive home what was ultimately the game winner.