Braves defeat Reds, 5-4

ATLANTA - Justin Upton hit a three-run homer to continue another strong April, Ervin Santana earned his third win, and the Atlanta Braves held off the Cincinnati Reds, 5-4, on Friday night.

Craig Kimbrel gave up a leadoff single to Roger Bernadina and walked Zack Cozart to open the ninth. Kimbrel struck out Brayan Pena and Chris Heisey before earning his seventh save on Joey Votto's groundout.

First baseman Freddie Freeman made a long stretch for Chris Johnson's throw from third base on Heisey's groundball. Reds manager Bryan Price challenged first base umpire Vic Carapazza's ruling that Freeman's foot remained on the bag. The call was confirmed, ending the game.

Two Cincinnati players left the game with injuries. Third baseman Todd Frazier was pulled in the fifth with tightness in his left leg. Catcher Devin Mesoraco strained his left hamstring and stumbled after rounding third base in the seventh, before limping across home plate.

The Braves scored three runs in the first off Homer Bailey. Following singles by B.J. Upton and Freddie Freeman, Justin Upton hit his team-leading sixth homer.

In 2013, Justin Upton led the majors with 12 homers in April, becoming the fastest player in Braves franchise history to reach the mark. He has hit 35 homers in April for his career, his highest total for any month.

B.J. Upton, who was hitting .205, had one hit in his first game wearing prescription glasses.