Spencer Steer helps the Reds win over the Braves

Spencer Steer hit a two-run homer that took the lead and helped erase a four-run deficit and lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-5 victory on Tuesday, dealing a major blow to the Atlanta Braves’ playoff hopes.

Steer’s two-run home run to left came off right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson (5-5). It was Steer’s 20th home run of the season, giving him 20 home runs and 25 steals for Cincinnati (74-78).

With 24 home runs and 64 steals, Steer and Elly De La Cruz are the first Cincinnati teammates to have 20-plus home runs and 20-plus steals in a season since Barry Larkin and Eric Davis in 1996.

Brent Suter (1-0) got the last out of the seventh inning for his first win of the year, and Alexis Diaz threw a scoreless ninth inning for his 28th save in 32 chances.

De La Cruz dived at shortstop on a forced play in the bottom of the eighth inning, and right fielder Jake Fraley leaned against the wall barrier in foul territory to score the first out of the ninth inning.

Atlanta (81-70) built a 5-1 lead thanks to home runs by Michael Harris II, Matt Olson and Jorge Soler. But the bullpen could not hold the lead and the Braves fell two games behind the New York Mets with 11 games to go, taking the third and final wild card spot in the National League.

Cincinnati has won all four of its meetings this season and secured its first win in a season series against Atlanta since 2019 with Tuesday’s victory.

The game started grimly for Cincinnati when left-handed starter Brandon Williamson was taken out after throwing his 48th pitch of the night, a fastball that was ruled a foul by Harris with one out in the second inning. Williamson was diagnosed with a strained left elbow.

Williamson missed the first four months of the season due to a strained left shoulder sustained at the start of spring training.

Before his latest injury, Williamson was in the midst of a strong finish to his shortened season, posting a 2.08 ERA in two previous starts and three appearances this season. Williamson allowed three runs on three hits while allowing two walks in 1 1/3 innings on Tuesday, raising his ERA to 3.77.

The Braves left no time to reach Williamson as Harris hit the second pitch 423 feet to right center for his 12th home run of the season and a 1-0 lead. After a single by Marcell Ozuna with one out, Olson hit his 26th home run to right to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead.

–Field level media