Ozzie Albies powers the Braves past the Cardinals 5-1 as López and the
bullpen allow 2 hits
[July 02, 2026]
By BILL TROCCHI
ATLANTA (AP) — Ozzie Albies homered and drove in two
runs, and the Atlanta Braves held the St. Louis Cardinals to two hits in
a 5-1 victory Wednesday night.
The win was just the fifth in 18 games for the Braves, who nevertheless
have managed to hold onto first place in the NL East. |
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) scores a home run during
the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals
Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) |
|
Reynaldo López (4-1) pitched five strong innings in his second
start since returning to the rotation after losing his starting
spot in April. He gave up one run on two hits with a walk and
five strikeouts. The right-hander threw 68 pitches, 44 for
strikes.
Atlanta's bullpen, which entered with a major league-best 2.76
ERA, tossed four perfect innings to secure the win. Dylan Dodd,
Didier Fuentes and Dylan Lee set up closer Raisel Iglesias, who
earned his 17th save.
Braves pitchers retired 20 batters in a row to end the game.
Albies' solo home run to right field in the third inning snapped
a 1-all tie. He also had an RBI double in the first that knocked
in Drake Baldwin from first base.
Atlanta tacked on three runs in the eighth. Michael Harris II
and Austin Riley each had an RBI single. Mauricio Dubón drove in
Albies with a sacrifice bunt.
Dubón took away a home run from Cardinals pinch-hitter José
Fermín in the eighth to preserve a 2-1 lead.
St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy (3-7) gave up two runs and
three hits in six innings. He hasn't won in his last nine starts
even though he leads the team in ERA at 3.12 and has allowed two
runs or fewer 12 times this season.
Up next
RHP Dustin May (5-6, 4.30 ERA) will close out the three-game
series for St. Louis on Thursday. RHP Hurston Waldrep (0-0,
0.00) starts for Atlanta.
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