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ATLANTA -- Jay Bruce says the Reds have had an impressive first half, even if they are in third place in the NL Central. A big showing by the Reds offence provided the perfect confidence boost before the All-Star break. Bruce hit a two-run homer in Cincinnatis four-run third inning, Shin-Soo Choo also homered, and the Reds beat Julio Teheran and the Atlanta Braves 8-4 on Sunday. Bruce led the Reds with three hits. Brandon Phillips had a two-run double in the ninth, and Choo had two hits and scored three runs as the Reds split the four-game series. "Weve had a good first half," Bruce said. "Obviously, were not in first place and thats where we want to be, but weve played well, especially with the injuries weve had. To still be right here in the hunt, were in good shape right now. "Were looking forward to the second half." The Reds began the day five games behind St. Louis and Pittsburgh in the division. They gained a game on the Pirates, who lost to the Mets. The Cardinals played the Cubs on Sunday night. "It makes for a better All-Star break," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We had a chance to really take three out of four or maybe even sweep them but well take what we got." Bruces homer was his first since he hit two on June 22. He had gone 18 games without one. "I really dont pay attention to that stuff," he said. "I started off July a little slow but slowly got heated up a little bit. Its a long month." Reds right-hander Logan Ondrusek (3-0) threw two scoreless innings as the second reliever behind Tony Cingrani, who lasted only four innings. Teheran (7-5) allowed five runs, seven hits and two walks in 5 1-3 innings. Andrelton Simmons and Dan Uggla hit homers for Atlanta. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was held out because of a jammed left thumb that will prevent him from playing in the All-Star game on Tuesday. The Braves had outfielders Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, B.J. Upton and Freeman sustain injuries in the series. The team placed B.J. Upton on the 15-day disabled list before the game with a right adductor muscle strain. "We lost a lot of key players but the guys that stepped in did a terrific job for us," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You felt good that we had a chance. Even today. We hit the ball hard. "Anytime your back is up against it like we were and guys respond, you feel good about your club." Atlanta catcher Brian McCann was named to replace Freeman on the NL All-Star team. The Reds led 5-3 before scoring three times in the ninth off Anthony Varvaro. Phillips double drove in Choo and Joey Votto, and Phillips scored on Todd Fraziers single. Control problems pushed up Cingranis pitch count. The rookie left-hander, who threw 96 pitches, allowed two runs -- one earned -- four hits and three walks in four innings. It matched his shortest start. Cingrani was frustrated early in the game by home plate umpire Sam Holbrooks strike zone. "They were calling them low, and Tony and (catcher) Devin (Mesoraco) thought they were strikes," Baker said. "Sometimes you get tested, especially when youre a rookie and youre not going to get a lot of the near-strikes. Sam was consistent and thats all you can ask the umpire to do." Cingrani gave up a run in the second but stranded three runners. Reed Johnson singled with two outs and scored on Gerald Lairds double. Cingrani loaded the bases with two walks, but ended the inning by snagging Jose Constanzas liner. Atlantas missed opportunity for a bigger inning set the stage for the Reds four-run third. Cingrani led off with a bunt single, and Choo also singled before Vottos double and Brandon Phillips groundout each drove in a run. Bruces 19th homer pushed the lead to 4-1. The Braves added an unearned run in the third. Simmons walked, moved to third on Chris Johnsons single and scored when Reds shortstop Zack Cozart caught a liner by Evan Gattis and then threw wildly to first base in an attempt for a double play. Choo led off the fifth with his 13th homer. Gattis was 0-for-4 in his return from the disabled list after playing only two games in his rehabilitation stint with Triple-A Gwinnett. Gattis was the fill-in starter for Freeman, who jammed his thumb Saturday night. Gattis had been out since June 18 because of a right oblique strain. Constanza made a running catch of Choos drive to left field in the first inning and made another leaping grab of a drive by Bruce in front of the wall in the ninth. Reds closer Aroldis Chapman gave up Simmons eighth homer in the ninth. NOTES: Cingrani also lasted only four innings on May 10 against Milwaukee. ... The Reds went 3-4 on their seven-game trip, splitting the four-game series with Atlanta. ... McCann is a seven-time All-Star. ... Gonzalez said doctors have determined Justin Upton sustained a severe cramp, instead of a strained left calf, in Fridays game. The Braves hope Justin Upton and Heyward (strained right hamstring) can return after the All-Star break without DL stints. Stitched Jerseys . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Soccer Jerseys . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/ . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. NHL Jerseys . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Adidas Jerseys . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. What is #CFBrank? #CFBrank is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to get involved in the discussion or just follow along.How did we rank the players? We asked 32 of ESPNs college football writers, editors and analysts to rate players on a scale of 0-10 based on their on their expected contributions for the 2016 season.90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1 Damien Mama USC Trojans Junior | Guard Score: ?6.72At 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, Mama is a force on the Trojans offensive line. His 17 career starts are going to be huge for USC this season as the Trojans work in a new quarterback and look to get back to their power run game. Isaiah Ford Virginia Tech Hokies Junior | Wide Receiver Score: 6.73One of the top returning receivers in the ACC, Ford became the first 1,000-yard receiver in school history in 2015 and also set single-season school records for receptions (75) and touchdowns (11). With an offense-minded coach who likes to spread the ball around in Justin Fuente, Ford will have a shot at breaking all his marks this season. Marquez White Florida State Seminoles Senior | Defensive Back Score: 6.83Jalen Ramsey overshadowed White last season, but White excelled at cornerback alongside the future top-five pick. Since dropping basketball and focusing solely on football, Whites developed into one of the ACCs best defensive backs. Hell earn more of a spotlight this season. Riley Bullough Michigan State? Senior | Linebacker Score: 6.87Bullough adds a new layer of sideline-to-sideline speed to his familys long legacy of hardnosed heavy hitters in East Lansing. Hes the undisputed leader of a defense that might end up having one of the best linebacker groups in the country this season. Shock Linwood Baylor Bears Senior | Running Back Score: 6.88Linwood should go down as the most prolific running back in school history. Hell shatter the Baylor career rushing record this fall, needing only 204 yards to take the No. 1 spot. Linwood brings a potent mix of power, breakaway speed and consistency (6.8 yards per rush last season) to an already explosive offense. Sony Michel Georgia Bulldogs Junior | Running Back Score: 6.89We made this pick before Michel broke his forearm in an ATV crash, potentially forcing him to miss a game or two early in the season. One of the SECs most versatile backs, he rushed for 1,161 yards in Nick Chubbs absence and caught 26 passes for 270 yards in 2015. Orlando Brown Okklahoma Sooners Sophomore | Tackle Score: 6.dddddddddddd.90The redshirt sophomore is just tapping into how good he can be after a strong debut season. He started all 13 games in 2015 and should be even better in 2016 with a year of experience under his belt. His combination of length, strength and athleticism makes him one of the freakiest athletes in the Big 12. Jake Browning Washington Huskies Sophomore | Quarterback Score: 6.93Though Huskies coach Chris Petersen doesnt like comparing players, he admits that Browning reminds him of Kellen Moore, his former All-American QB at Boise State. As a true freshman, Browning passed for 2,955 yards and 16 touchdowns, playing better as the season progressed. A cerebral player with good accuracy, hes a big reason many believe Washington is headed for a Pac-12 breakthrough in Petersens third season. Sidney Jones Washington Huskies Junior ?| Defensive Back Score: 6.96Though hes not the most well-known player on Washingtons roster, Jones is the most irreplaceable player in the Huskies defensive rotation. He keeps his side so locked down that coaches know they dont have to worry about anything happening over there. Jones finished the 2015 season with four interceptions (returned 125 yards, one touchdown), three forced fumbles, 10 pass break ups and 14 passes defended. Corey Clement Wisconsin Badgers Senior | Running Back Score: 6.97Clements junior campaign sputtered from the start and never fully recovered. He suffered a sports hernia injury in the season opener, missed two months and fell far short of his goal to rush for 2,000 yards. But hes fully healthy now, with a deep running back group and a more experienced offensive line unit. If he can remain on the field, expect to see him among the Big Tens rushing leaders all season.90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1Voters: Andrea Adelson, Edward Aschoff, Brian Bennett, Kyle Bonagura, David Ching, Heather Dinich, Matt Fortuna, Kevin Gemmell, David Hale, Travis Haney, Brock Huard, Chantel Jennings, Sharon Katz, Sam Khan Jr., David Lombardi, Chris Low, Tom Luginbill, Ivan Maisel, Ryan McGee, Erik McKinney, Ted Miller, Dan Murphy, Max Olson, Greg Ostendorf, Adam Rittenberg, Alex Scarborough, Jared Shanker, Mitch Sherman, Phil Steele, Jake Trotter, Tom VanHaaren, Austin Ward ' ' '