Cardinals miss out on weekend sweep of the Braves
ST. LOUIS -- Adonis Garcia's first career home run broke a tie and rookie Matt Wisler worked seven strong innings in helping the Atlanta Braves to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.
Wisler (5-1) limited the Cardinals to seven hits and walked three in his longest outing since he worked eight innings to beat the Mets in his debut June 19.
The Braves took advantage of Michael Wacha's wildness for a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Ryan Lavarnway doubled into the left-field corner to score Eury Perez, who had worked a one-out walk after an 0-2 count. Following a two-out walk to Jace Peterson, Cameron Maybin singled in Lavarnway. Wacha needed 51 pitches to get through the first two innings.
The Cardinals evened the score with runs in the fourth and fifth. Matt Holliday's double into the right-field corner scored Kolten Wong, who had doubled, to tie the game in the fifth.
Rookie Stephen Piscotty, in his first start at home, drove in the first St. Louis run with a single that scored Jason Heyward. Heyward, scoring for the first time against his former team, initially was ruled out, but the call was overturned following a 5:08 review that showed he slid in ahead of Lavarnway's tag.
Wacha (11-4), who had allowed five runs in each of his past two starts, went six innings and gave up five hits and walked three.
Jim Johnson converted his seventh consecutive save chance.
Steve Cishek, acquired from the Florida Marlins on Friday, worked a scoreless eighth inning in his Cardinals debut.
FREEMAN'S BACK
Braves cleanup hitter Freddie Freeman went 1 for 3 and walked in his return to the lineup. Out since June 17 with a right wrist injury, Freeman pinch-hit Saturday after he arrived during the game following a one-game rehab stint in Florida. Freeman said after he got to the visitors' clubhouse, he hopped in a hot tub, then warmed up on a stationary bicycle before making his way to the dugout.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cardinals: 1B Mark Reynolds was out of the lineup after being hit on the left hand Saturday night. He was available to pinch-hit, manager Mike Matheny said.
UP NEXT
Braves: LHP Alex Wood (7-6, 3.78 ERA) will face RHP Kevin Gausman (1-2, 5.18) in the opener of a three-game series at Baltimore as Atlanta continues a three-stop trip. The Braves are not scheduled off until Aug. 10.
Cardinals: RHP Lance Lynn (7-5, 2.80) will make his first start this season against Cincinnati when he opposes rookie RHP Raisel Iglesias (1-2, 5.45). The division rivals have not met since April 19. After this week's three-game series at Busch Stadium, the teams meet again next week in Cincinnati.
