The Reds have been an early-season surprise in the NL Central with likely future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona in his first year at the helm in Cincinnati. The Red sit above

A.J. Smith-Shawver carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves defeated the visiting Cincinnati Reds 4-0 on Monday in the opener of their three-game series. Smith-Shawver (2-2) pitched a career-high eight innings and allowed no runs on one hit -- a leadoff single by Santiago Espinal in the eighth -- with four walks and five strikeouts.

The rookie righthander struck out five and walked four in eight splendid innings, throwing 60 of his 99 pitches for strikes.