The Braves won the first game 6-2.
Liberatore (2-2) has worked primarily in relief this year. He
was supposed to be the opener in a scheduled bullpen start.
Instead, he lasted 85 pitches and set his season high for
innings. He struck out a career-high eight batters and walked
just one.
Ryan Helsley closed out the ninth to convert his 28th
consecutive save, extending his team-record streak.
Alec Burleson hit two doubles and drove in two runs as the
Cardinals won for the 10th time in 14 games.
The Braves lost for just the fourth time in 13 games.
Atlanta starting pitcher Bryce Elder (1-3) allowed two runs on
four hits in six innings while striking out four and walking
none.
The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead with a two-out breakthrough in the
third inning. Michael Siani and Masyn Winn hit singles and
Burleson drove them in with a double into the right field
corner.
St. Louis threatened against reliever Grant Holmes in the
seventh inning. Brendan Donovan hit a single, stole second base
and took third on an error.
Nolan Gorman walked and stole second base, but Siani flied out
to end the inning.
The Braves cut their deficit to 2-1 in the eighth inning. Ramon
Laureano hit a two-out double off Andrew Kittredge and Sean
Murphy followed with an infield single.
Jarred Kelenic greeted JoJo Romero with an RBI single, but Ozzie
Albies grounded out to end the rally.
The Cardinals increased their lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the
inning.
Burleson hit a double and Paul Goldschmidt followed with an RBI
single. Goldschmidt stole second base and scored on Donovan's
single.
Matt Olson drew a one-out walk in the ninth inning and Austin
Riley hit a single. But Travis d'Arnaud hit into a forceout and
Adam Duvall struck out to end the game.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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