Rhett Lowder allowed no runs over six innings for his seventh win, and rookie Hector Rodriguez had a two-hit game including a two-run triple -- his third straight multi-hit game -- as Cincinnati closed in on the finish of a rebuilding season.

De La Cruz stole his 30th base Sept. 25, becoming the fourth Red ever to reach 30 home runs and 30 steals in a season.

Cincinnati claimed infielder Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the Yankees for roster depth; Spencer Steer (wrist) and Tony Santillan (hip) are both scheduled for surgery this week.

Cincinnati trailed 4-1 after Atlanta's four-run first inning before rallying, keyed by Elly De La Cruz's 30th homer and a go-ahead two-run shot from Hector Rodriguez in the sixth.

Burns, who went 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA in his rookie season before a groin strain ended it, and Santillan, who needs surgery for a torn hip labrum, both shape Cincinnati's 2027 pitching plans; Santillan's surgeon-comparable recovery projects a March-May 2027 return.

Friedl was designated for assignment to clear 40-man roster room after hitting .172/.255/.255 in 91 games, by far his worst big-league season.

The Athletic reported that owner Bob Castellini questioned why the Reds haven't replicated division-rival Milwaukee's run of success, while president of baseball operations Nick Krall countered by citing trades ownership rejected over the years. Neither Castellini nor Krall has commented publicly on the report.

Outfielder TJ Friedl, an everyday center fielder as recently as last year, accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Louisville after hitting .172 in 91 games this season. Unless restored to the 40-man roster, he is on track to become a minor-league free agent, likely ending his time with Cincinnati.

Cincinnati recalled right-hander Connor Phillips from Triple-A Louisville to fill the bullpen spot opened by Tony Santillan's injured-list move.

Cincinnati lost 3-2 in extra innings to Atlanta after Andrew Abbott turned in a strong start (7 innings, 2 earned runs, 6 strikeouts); the Reds took a late lead before the Braves tied it and won it in the 10th.

It was Cincinnati's final home date of 2026 and the first time since 2022 the club has fallen short of two million in home attendance.

Burns' All-Star rookie season (15-3, 2.86 ERA) ends with a groin strain; Spiers returns from 2025 Tommy John surgery to fill the roster spot opened by Friedl's release from the 40-man after a .172-hitting season.

Dayton reached the Midwest League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history before losing to Quad Cities; Louisville closed 65-83 with no Triple-A playoff berth.