Boxengasse » Consistent filly Prompt Return has finally broke

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Andrelton Simmons is starting to get noticed for more than those amazing defensive plays. The young shortstop homered twice and drove in a career-high four runs on Monday night, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-4 victory that ended the Cincinnati Reds winning streak at three games. The Braves won at a place where theyve had little success lately. They were 0-4 at Great American Ball Park last year and 14-25 overall since it opened for the 2003 season. Simmons led the way on offence, something he hasnt had to do very often. The first multihomer game of his career allowed the Braves to get ahead and pull away. "When all is said and done after this year, were going to be talking about him as one of the best shortstops in baseball," catcher Brian McCann said. Simmons worked on his swing when Saturdays game against the Mets was rained out, trying to keep his bat back a little longer so he could generate more power. The work is quickly paying off. "That rainout really helped," said Simmons, who has four homers. "I feel like Im where I want to be right now." He showed a little more defence, too. His best play came in the seventh, when he caught a hurried throw between his legs and tagged out out Shin-Soo Choo as he tried to steal second base. "Hes pretty acrobatic," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I remember someone asking me in spring training: Whats the best defensive play hes made? Its the next one. Its one after another with him." Paul Maholm (4-3) held down an offence thats been all-or-nothing. The left-hander allowed four hits and two runs in 5 2-3 innings. Cincinnati stranded five runners in scoring position overall. Craig Kimbrel gave up a pair of singles in the ninth before fanning Joey Votto, picking up his 10th save in 12 opportunities. Atlanta scored in four of five innings against Bronson Arroyo (2-4), who gave up eight hits, walked two and allowed four runs in his shortest outing of the season. "They have a really powerful lineup with a lot of threats, which makes you be a little more nitpicky," Arroyo said. "You end up throwing a lot more pitches than you normally would. Youd think the only guy you dont worry about hitting home runs is the eighth guy (Simmons), and he ends up taking me deep." Simmons had a solo shot and an RBI single off Arroyo. He added a two-run homer in the eighth off Logan Ondrusek, matching his career high for hits. Freddie Freeman also singled and doubled and drove in a run off Arroyo, who needed 98 pitches to get through five innings. Jordan Schafer added his first career pinch-hit homer as the Braves pulled away. The injury-sapped Braves got a little closer to full strength when McCann was activated off the disabled list, completing a comeback from surgery on his throwing shoulder last October. The six-time All-Star catcher started and went 0 for 4 with a walk. "Felt great," McCann said. "The first day couldnt have gone any better." Right fielder Jason Heyward also increased his workout activities while recovering from surgery to remove his appendix on April 22. The Braves will decide by the end of the week whether hes ready to start a rehab assignment in the minors. The Braves made it tough on Arroyo from the outset. Freeman singled home a run in the first inning, but Atlanta left the bases loaded when Dan Uggla struck out. Simmons led off the second inning with a homer down the third-base line. Uggla opened the fourth with his second triple of the season -- a ball into the gap in right-centre field -- and scored on Simmons single off the glove of Zack Cozart in the hole at shortstop for a 3-0 lead. Evan Gattis doubled home a run in the fifth off Arroyo. The Braves pulled away with three runs in the eighth off Ondrusek. Votto doubled home a run in the eighth inning, extending his hitting streak to nine games. NOTES: The Braves optioned utility player Tyler Pastornicky to Triple-A Gwinnett to open a roster spot for McCann. ... Simmons has six multihit games in his last 14. ... Choo was hit by a pitch for the 11th time. ... Alfredo Simon fanned the six Braves he faced, the first Reds pitcher to strike out six in a row since Aaron Harang in 2008. ... Reds RHP Johnny Cueto threw 25 pitches in the bullpen without problem. Cueto has been on the DL since April 15 with a strained muscle in his back. ... NFL receiver and Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter threw a ceremonial pitch to former NBA player and coach Butch Carter. Judo gold medallist Kayla Harrison took out the lineup card. Adidas Arkyn Boost . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Adidas Swift Run Sneaker . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. http://www.swiftrunireland.com/nmd-c2.html .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Ultra Boost 3.0 Triple Black For Sale . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. NMD Human Race Trail 2018 . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Consistent filly Prompt Return has finally broken through for a stakes race victory with a hard-fought win at Sandown.The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained three-year-old ended a run of second placings with her win in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes on Saturday.Ridden by Damien Oliver, Prompt Response was backed from $3.10 to run the $2.70 favourite before holding off Hear The Chant ($19) to win by a long neck with Petition ($8) a neck away third.Oliver landed his first Saturday city victory since Eleonora won the Ethereal Stakes on Caulfield Cup day.The champion jockey was suspended for 20 meeetings after winning on Flying Artie at Caulfield on October 12 and only returned to race riding on Melbourne Cup day.ddddddddddddHe rode his first winner back at Moonee Valley on Friday night.Oliver said Prompt Response showed tremendous fight to break through for her second win in a nine-start career.Gais dont give in easily, he said.She had a good run and shes been knocking on the door the whole carnival.It was nice to see her get a good draw and have a change of luck. 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