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ATL@CIN: Leake shuts down Braves over eight frames

As the Reds are in the midst of playing their best baseball of the season, manager Dusty Baker said the game has come easy to his players. Before losing the series opener to Colorado on Friday, Cincinnati had won six in a row, the club's longest win streak of the season.

In those six games, the Reds scored fewer than four runs just once, in a 2-1 win over Atlanta. On the flip side, they surrendered more than three runs only one time, when they beat the Yankees, 6-5, to start the streak.

Baker said the key has been keeping things simple, because when the team is playing well, there's no need to overthink anything.

"You just play," Baker said. "I had a friend of mine that used to surf all the time and said, 'When you're riding that wave, don't think about falling off. When you fall off, you fall off. Ride it all the way to the beach, jump off and catch another one.'"

The Reds hit a bump in the road Friday, but they send a pitcher who continues to improve to the mound for the second game of the series on Saturday.

Mike Leake started the season 0-5 but has recorded quality starts in his last two outings, including a 4-1 win over the Braves on Monday. Leake went a season-high eight innings in that game, surrendering just one earned run on three hits.

"I was just attacking, going after hitters and not worrying about who is in the box," Leake said. "It's nice to have a little attitude these last couple of outings."

Taking the hill for the Rockies will be Jeremy Guthrie, who wasn't as successful his last time out. In a loss to the Mariners on Sunday, which capped Seattle's series sweep, Guthrie went six innings and allowed six earned runs, four of which came on three Seattle home runs. The Rockies have won two consecutive games after a six-game losing streak.

But as Cincinnati learned Friday, success can turn into struggles -- and vice versa -- quickly.

"These guys have been tough on us in the past because they can hit," Baker said. "We have to keep them in the ballpark and hopefully we can keep hitting them."

Reds: Bruce to return to lineup after day off
Baker gave Jay Bruce a day to clear his head Friday, as he tries to work his way out of an offensive slump. Bruce hasn't registered a hit since Sunday, going 0-for-14 in that stretch, and is 1-for-his-last-31.

Baker said he wanted Bruce to relax on Friday but still get loose in case he was needed. Bruce did not get in the game. He hopes the day off will pay dividends in Saturday's game against the Rockies.

"I want him to have fun [Friday]," Baker said. "Just go and play some first base [during BP]. Don't hit in the cage, don't do anything except clear your mind. Then he'll be back in there [Saturday]. Sometimes you need to clear your head. It's time."

Rockies: Guthrie looks to remain perfect on the road
Guthrie has struggled at home this season, while finding success on the road.

The right-hander is 0-2 in three home starts, giving up six earned runs in every appearance. Away from home, Guthrie is 2-0 while also surrendering no earned runs in a no-decision on May 15 in San Francisco. He'll look to continue that road success Saturday.

"I haven't executed nearly enough pitches when I've pitched here, both falling behind guys and making poor pitches ahead in the count," Guthrie said of pitching at Coors Field.

Worth noting
• With his home run in the second inning Friday, Todd Helton passed Bernie Williams to take sole possession of 48th on the all-time extra-base-hit list. Sitting at 949 extra-baggers heading into Saturday, Helton needs three more to tie Mickey Mantle.

• Joey Votto recorded his first multihit game since May 17 on Friday, going 4-for-4 with a run scored.

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