Leake pitched eight shutout innings and gave up only two hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts in Thursday's win over the Braves. Leake allowed just four baserunners, retiring the last 12 batters he faced. The right-hander gave up singles to Nick Markakis in the first and Jace Peterson in the second, and walked Freddie Freeman in the first and Chris Johnson in the fourth. Leake also helped his cause by hitting his fifth career home run in the seventh. It was Leake's first win this season, and he'll look to keep the momentum going in his next scheduled start Wednesday at Pittsburgh.

Leake's next start has been pushed back to Thursday against Atlanta, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The Reds will keep Michael Lorenzen, who is coming up to replace Homer Bailey (elbow) in the rotation, on regular rest and give Leake an extra day. Leake has tossed back-to-back quality starts and has held opponents to a .202 batting average in 27.2 innings so far this season, but he's still looking for his first win.

Leake allowed three runs over seven innings against the Cubs on Friday, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out nine. He did not get a decision in the game, which eventually went 10 innings. Leake once again was hurt by the long ball, with all three runs coming on two homers by Anthony Rizzo and Chris Coghlan.

Leake allowed just two runs on four hits and no walks Sunday night against the Cardinals, striking out three. It wasn't good enough, as that second run in the eighth inning was the margin of victory. Leake needed just 86 pitches to get through those eight innings, throwing 66 of them for strikes. The first of the two runs came on a leadoff homer from Matt Carpenter, his third allowed for the season. His next start comes at home on Friday against the Cubs.

Leake took a no-decision on Monday, allowing four runs in seven innings as the Reds fell to the Cubs in 10 innings. Leake allowed a pair of home runs, but more importantly was able to curtail his control issues that produced six walks in his first start. Leake will look for his first win when he toes the rubber against the Cardinals this weekend.

Leake struggled with his control in Wednesday's start against the Pirates, walking six (two intentional) and throwing 51 balls among his 107 pitches. He lasted 5.2 innings, allowing three runs. Thrice Leake had a lead and gave it up. The two-and-a-half hour rain delay at the start might have hurt his command.

Leake threw four scoreless innings against the Indians on Tuesday despite struggling with his command. "Every first pitch was a ball except for one," Leake said, "so at least I got to work behind hitters and get out of bad counts, so that's a positive." Leake will open the season as the Reds' #2 starter, with Homer Bailey opening the year on the DL.

Leake avoided arbitration with the Reds by agreeing to a one-year, $9.775 million contract, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. While he doesn't put up the flashiest of numbers, Leake has consistently put up at least 160 innings in the last four years as a back-end starter for the Reds. The 27-year-old will be a free agent after 2015 and will be looked at as a player who eats innings, but has a very low ceiling when it comes to run prevention or fantasy value.

Leake struck out eight and walked two while giving up one run on three hits over seven innings against the Pirates on Friday. The Reds' bullpen enabled the Pirates to plate the eventual game-winning run, but Leake's skills growth in 2014 should be viewed as a significant step forward. In addition to carrying a career-high 6.9 K/9, Leake maintained good control (2.1 BB/9) and induced groundballs at a career-high 53.4% clip. All signs point to another year spent as the Reds' No. 4 starter in 2015, provided that Homer Bailey and Mat Latos enter next season healthy behind ace Johnny Cueto.

Leake allowed six hits, two walks, and five runs, while striking out four in five innings Saturday in a loss to the Cardinals. Leake walked two batters and even hit a batter, all of whom scored. He also gave up two home runs, his 21st and 22nd of the season. Leake has now pitched a career-high 207.1 innings this season, and he's scheduled to make his final start of the season Friday against Pittsburgh.