Eugenio Suárez homers, Reds overcome loss of Elly De La Cruz to hold off Braves 6-4

CINCINNATI (AP) — Eugenio Suárez homered for the first time since April 15 and Nick Lodolo allowed three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings to lead the Cincinnati Reds over the first-place Atlanta Braves 6-4 on Sunday.

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz left the game in the fifth inning with right hamstring tightness after hitting a single and pulling up at first base.

Lodolo (2-1) allowed seven hits, including a pair of homers with four walks and four strikeouts.

Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his franchise-best 39th career leadoff home run on Lodolo's first pitch to make it five homers in four games.

The Reds avoided being swept at home for the first time since the Royals did it in August 2024, a stretch of 40 consecutive series. It's the team's longest sweep-less streak since 2013.

Reds left fielder JJ Bleday had RBI doubles in each of his first two at-bats, driving in De La Cruz twice.

Spencer Steer singled and scored when Will Benson doubled off the wall and Acuña misplayed the carom for an error to make it 3-1 in the fourth.

Braves designated hitter Jorge Mateo homered for the second straight game to cut the Reds' lead in the fifth.

Suarez's sacrifice fly extended it to 4-2 in the fifth. Reds catcher P.J. Higgins made it 5-3 with an RBI double off Didier Fuentes in the sixth.

Braves starter Spencer Strider (3-1) allowed three earned runs on seven hits in five innings. He fanned eight.

Suárez, who missed 25 games with a mild left oblique strain, homered off Dylan Dodd in the seventh, his fourth homer of the season.

Left-hander Sam Moll got Matt Olson to ground out with the bases loaded for his first save, the second of his career.

Braves: RPH Bryce Elder (4-3, 2.50) is scheduled to start Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Reds: RHP Chase Burns (7-1, 1.96) is scheduled to start Monday against the Royals.

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

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly de la Cruz rounds third base as he scores on a double hit by JJ Bleday during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Sam Moll is greeted as he walks off the field after winning a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Cincinnati, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

LEBANON, Tenn. (AP) — Rain disrupted the NASCAR's Cup Series for a second straight week, this time at the Nashville Superspeedway.

The start of the Cracker Barrel 400 on Sunday night was delayed by a weather hold for rain over the 1.33-mile, D-shaped oval that is NASCAR's largest concrete track.

Rain shortened the Coca-Cola 600 won by Daniel Suarez last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

And rain already washed out qualifying Saturday at Nashville with a storm that had track officials asking fans to leave the grandstands for cover. The rulebook gave Denny Hamlin, second in the points race, his second pole this year looking to add to his 61 career Cup wins.

Ryan Blaney won here a year ago for his first victory of 2025. Currently third in the points race, he is looking not just to repeat as champ at Nashville but notch his second victory this year.

The series will be at Michigan International Speedway next week where Hamlin will be trying to win for a second straight year.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Crews wait out the rain before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Camden Hall)

Josh Berry waits out the rain before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/Camden Hall)