Descalso hits HR, Cards beat reeling Braves 8-2

[May 29, 2012]  ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- Lance Lynn joined Philadelphia's Cole Hamels as the major leagues' first eight-game winners, and the St. Louis Cardinals' extended the Atlanta Braves' longest losing streak in two years to eight games with an 8-2 victory Monday.

Lynn (8-1) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings. While he was dominating the Braves, Hamels pitched the Phillies to an 8-4 win at the Mets.

Atlanta is on its worst skid since the Braves lost nine in a row from April 21-29, 2010. The Braves have given up seven runs or more in four straight games.

Daniel Descalso hit a two-run homer as a fill-in starter at third base for David Freese, who was given a day off with a mild sprain of his right hand.

Rafael Furcal had three hits, including a homer, and Matt Adams had three hits with three RBIs for St. Louis.

Marc Rzepczynski and Eduardo Sanchez followed Lynn with hitless relief, completing a five-hitter.

Atlanta's Tommy Hanson (5-4) gave up six runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings. He left the bases loaded in the first and stranded a runner on third base in the second, then fell behind 4-0 in the third.

Matt Holliday singled and scored on Brian McCann's passed ball. After Carlos Beltran was caught in a rundown between third and home when he broke for the plate on a pitch, Yadier Molina singled in a run and Descalso followed with his second home run this season.

Furcal's home run off hanson and Adams' RBI single off Kris Medlen made it 6-0 in the fourth.

Juan Francisco had a two-run single in the bottom half. Adams added a two-run double against Medlen in the sixth.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman didn't start for the third straight day due to vision problems.

Freeman said he can't wear contacts because his tear ducts aren't producing. He can't wear normal glasses when playing because he can't see when hitting from his closed stance. He said he hopes prescription sports goggles will arrive Tuesday.

Atlanta arranged a Memorial Day surprise for the family of Air Force Sgt. David Sims in the middle of the fifth inning.

Sims' wife, Robin, and four children were on the field to see his message to the family shown on the Braves video board. Sims, who has been serving in Afghanistan, emerged on the field after the video and was quickly engulfed by a group hug from his children, followed by a long embrace from his wife, as the crowd of 42,426 cheered.

NOTES: Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Freese could play but added he wanted to "nip it in the bud" so Freese's hand will heal. ... Molina started after leaving Sunday's game early due to dehydration. ... Matheny said Cardinals INF-OF Allen Craig (left hamstring strain) is expected to be ready to come off the DL on Friday. ... McCann (illness) was 0-for-4 in his first start since May 21. ... Cardinals RHP Jake Westbrook will face RHP Randall Delgado on Tuesday night.

[Associated Press; By CHARLES ODUM]

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