ATLANTA - Mike Leake returned from the minor leagues to give Cincinnati's depleted rotation a boost, and the Reds beat Atlanta 5-1 on Friday night for only their second win in 10 games.
Leake (4-2) gave Cincinnati its first win by a starter since May 16. The right-hander allowed one run, seven hits and three walks in six innings.
Ramon Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the ninth off Braves closer Craig Kimbrel. That was the first homer Kimbrel allowed in 47 games over two seasons.
The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth before Nick Massett ended the threat on Alex Gonzalez's grounder to shortstop Paul Janish.
Leake, 23, was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Friday for his first big-league start since May 3. He was needed after the Reds lost Homer Bailey to an injury and Edinson Volquez was sent to the minors.
Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth in a non-save situation.
Cincinnati placed Bailey on the 15-day disabled list before the game with a sprained right shoulder. Bailey left Thursday's loss in Philadelphia with the injury after four innings. His early exit put more stress on the staff one day after a 19-inning loss to the Phillies.
Monday, the struggling Volquez was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Leake was recalled to replace Volquez.
Also, usual innings eater Bronson Arroyo lasted only 2 2/3 innings while allowing 10 hits and nine runs against Philadelphia on Monday. Following the start, Arroyo had an MRI that showed a minor muscle strain in his back. He is scheduled to start tonight.
Reds relievers Matt Maloney and Aroldis Chapman also have been placed on the disabled list in the last week.
Fred Lewis had a run-scoring double off Tommy Hanson (5-4) in the second inning. In the fourth, Lewis walked and moved to third when Hanson fielded a bunt by Hernandez and threw high to second base for an error, and then Lewis scored on a suicide squeeze bunt by Janish.
The Reds pushed the lead to 3-0 in the fifth when Brandon Phillips singled, stole second and eventually scored from third on Jay Bruce's infield hit off reliever George Sherrill's glove.
The Braves scored their only run off Leake in the sixth when Brian McCann hit a one-out double, moved to third on Eric Hinske's single and scored on Dan Uggla's sacrifice fly to deep center. Drew Stubbs made the catch in front of the wall.
Hanson gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said a second MRI on right fielder Jason Heyward's right shoulder again showed inflammation but no damage. Heyward missed six straight starts due to the sore shoulder earlier in May before he was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. The move was made retroactive to Sunday.