ERST LESEN! » a big test awaiting them at 5 p.m. Sunday when they

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Andrelton Simmons is starting to get noticed for more than those amazing defensive plays. The young shortstop homered twice and drove in a career-high four runs on Monday night, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-4 victory that ended the Cincinnati Reds winning streak at three games. The Braves won at a place where theyve had little success lately. They were 0-4 at Great American Ball Park last year and 14-25 overall since it opened for the 2003 season. Simmons led the way on offence, something he hasnt had to do very often. The first multihomer game of his career allowed the Braves to get ahead and pull away. "When all is said and done after this year, were going to be talking about him as one of the best shortstops in baseball," catcher Brian McCann said. Simmons worked on his swing when Saturdays game against the Mets was rained out, trying to keep his bat back a little longer so he could generate more power. The work is quickly paying off. "That rainout really helped," said Simmons, who has four homers. "I feel like Im where I want to be right now." He showed a little more defence, too. His best play came in the seventh, when he caught a hurried throw between his legs and tagged out out Shin-Soo Choo as he tried to steal second base. "Hes pretty acrobatic," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I remember someone asking me in spring training: Whats the best defensive play hes made? Its the next one. Its one after another with him." Paul Maholm (4-3) held down an offence thats been all-or-nothing. The left-hander allowed four hits and two runs in 5 2-3 innings. Cincinnati stranded five runners in scoring position overall. Craig Kimbrel gave up a pair of singles in the ninth before fanning Joey Votto, picking up his 10th save in 12 opportunities. Atlanta scored in four of five innings against Bronson Arroyo (2-4), who gave up eight hits, walked two and allowed four runs in his shortest outing of the season. "They have a really powerful lineup with a lot of threats, which makes you be a little more nitpicky," Arroyo said. "You end up throwing a lot more pitches than you normally would. Youd think the only guy you dont worry about hitting home runs is the eighth guy (Simmons), and he ends up taking me deep." Simmons had a solo shot and an RBI single off Arroyo. He added a two-run homer in the eighth off Logan Ondrusek, matching his career high for hits. Freddie Freeman also singled and doubled and drove in a run off Arroyo, who needed 98 pitches to get through five innings. Jordan Schafer added his first career pinch-hit homer as the Braves pulled away. The injury-sapped Braves got a little closer to full strength when McCann was activated off the disabled list, completing a comeback from surgery on his throwing shoulder last October. The six-time All-Star catcher started and went 0 for 4 with a walk. "Felt great," McCann said. "The first day couldnt have gone any better." Right fielder Jason Heyward also increased his workout activities while recovering from surgery to remove his appendix on April 22. The Braves will decide by the end of the week whether hes ready to start a rehab assignment in the minors. The Braves made it tough on Arroyo from the outset. Freeman singled home a run in the first inning, but Atlanta left the bases loaded when Dan Uggla struck out. Simmons led off the second inning with a homer down the third-base line. Uggla opened the fourth with his second triple of the season -- a ball into the gap in right-centre field -- and scored on Simmons single off the glove of Zack Cozart in the hole at shortstop for a 3-0 lead. Evan Gattis doubled home a run in the fifth off Arroyo. The Braves pulled away with three runs in the eighth off Ondrusek. Votto doubled home a run in the eighth inning, extending his hitting streak to nine games. NOTES: The Braves optioned utility player Tyler Pastornicky to Triple-A Gwinnett to open a roster spot for McCann. ... Simmons has six multihit games in his last 14. ... Choo was hit by a pitch for the 11th time. ... Alfredo Simon fanned the six Braves he faced, the first Reds pitcher to strike out six in a row since Aaron Harang in 2008. ... Reds RHP Johnny Cueto threw 25 pitches in the bullpen without problem. Cueto has been on the DL since April 15 with a strained muscle in his back. ... NFL receiver and Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter threw a ceremonial pitch to former NBA player and coach Butch Carter. Judo gold medallist Kayla Harrison took out the lineup card. Marcus Mariota Titans Jersey . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. A.J. Brown Youth Jersey .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. http://www.authentictitanspro.com/Aj-brown-titans-jersey/ . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. Curley Culp Titans Jersey . As the crowd erupted, Davis knocked the ball off the glass and back into his hands. With 1:14 to go in overtime, Davis sixth block also became his 17th rebound. That, along with his 32 points -- which tied a career high -- proved too much for Denver to overcome, and the Pelicans held on for their third straight victory, 111-107 on Sunday night. Eddie George Youth Jersey . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. BILOXI, Miss. -- Mississippi State earned its third win of the season, even if this one wont be remembered for its beauty.Victoria Vivians scored 17 points, Breanna Richardson added 11 and the 10th-ranked Bulldogs beat Tulane 66-49 on Wednesday night at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.Both teams struggled to score points early, but when the Bulldogs (3-0) began to find their shot in the second quarter, Tulane (1-1) stayed cold.The Green Wave went scoreless in the final 4:36 of the second quarter, which helped Mississippi State take a 36-16 advantage into halftime.Tulanes best chance at mounting an upset bridged the third and fourth quarters thanks to a 10-0 run. The rally was aided by consecutive 3-pointers from Leslie Vorpahl, bringing the Green Wave within 47-35. Mississippi State responded with its own small run, however, to squash the comeback attempt.Tulanes late run -- coupled with the Bulldogs shooting just 36.1 percent from the field -- frustrated MSU coach Vic Schaefer.I didnt think we had some kids who came out in the second half and were ready to play. I think if youre going to be who everybody says we are, if were going to be a top 10 team, then you come out and win (the second half) by 20 again, Schaefer said. You dont come out and stink it up and play dead even with them in the second half.Vorpahl carried the Green Wave. The senior guard scored 20 points on 9 of 11 shooting from the floor.She came in and really competed and did a good job of running the team and also looking for her shot, Tulane coach Lisa Stockton said.Harlyn Wyatt added 10 points for Tulane.Mississippi Sttate has won four straight over the Green Wave.ddddddddddddOME SWEET HOMEMississippi State freshman Ameshya Williams and sophomore Jazzmun Holmes played in front of their hometown fans for the first time as college athletes. Both graduated from nearby high schools and saw time off the bench. Williams scored four points with three rebounds in the final five minutes of the game. Holmes finished with two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 14 minutes.STAT OF THE NIGHTMississippi State grabbed 24 offensive rebounds and finished with 26 second-chance points, dwarfing Tulanes seven second-chance points.Our defense, even in the first half, I dont think was bad, Stockton said. They were shooting 30-something percent, but it was the offensive rebounds that were keeping them in it.COOLING OFFMississippi State entered Wednesday nights game shooting 57.7 percent from 3-point range. The Wave held the Bulldogs to just 23.5 percent on 4 of 17 shooting.BIG PICTUREMississippi State: Fresh off of dominant wins against Villanova and Maine in their first two games of the season, the Bulldogs continued to show why theyre a top 10 team.Tulane: After a convincing showing in a 79-56 season-opening win against Grambling on Nov. 12, the Green Wave suffered their first setback of the season.UP NEXTMississippi State: The Bulldogs have a big test awaiting them at 5 p.ma big test awaiting them at 5 p.m. Sunday when they l] Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '