Atlanta Braves Break Out Long Ball in 13-5 Win over Cardinals

Atlanta Braves play a little long ball in St. Louis; pound the Redbirds 13-5.

It was a night of firsts for the Atlanta Braves tonight. Roberto Hernandez earned his first win as a Brave. Matt Kemp smacked his first home run as a Brave. The Braves hit four home runs in a game for the first time this year, and they scored more than 10 runs for the first time.

Let’s worked backwards. The ninth inning. heading into the ninth, it was closely contested. The Cardinals had battled back to make it a 7-5 game.

Chase d’Arnaud led off as a pinch hitter. He singled then proceeded to steal second. Ender Inciarte who extended his hitting streak to 18 games, notched his second home run of the year, scoring Chase to push the lead to 9-5 Braves.

Following an Erick Aybar strikeout, Freddie Freeman, who homered earlier in the game, singled to center. Then walked up Matt Kemp.

Kemp sent a line drive missile over the left field wall for his first home run as a Brave driving in Freeman in the process.

Nick Markakis kept the line moving with a single. Adonis Garcia, who also homered earlier, doubled putting runners on third and second.

Jace Peterson then reached on an error. As the next to worst fielding team in baseball, the Cardinals’ Achilles heel struck again.

A.J. Pierzynski grounded out that forced Markakis at home, still leaving the bases loaded. Now having batted around, d’Arnaud came up with a chance to really put it out of reach.

Chase sent a long fly ball to the corner in left. Cardinal left fielder Matt Holliday gave up a bit soon on the ball and it dropped just fair for a 2-run double.

The Braves really never stopped scoring all night. A first inning ground out from Markakis scored Inciarte. A 3-run bomb to center from Freddie pushed it to 4-0.

In the fifth inning Adonis Garcia put home run number 9 on the board with a 3-run shot of his own.

Roberto Hernandez did his job and kept the Cardinals just at arm’s length all night long. This marks the third straight game that a Brave has won their ML or Braves debut in their first start.

Even more of an oddity, the Braves actually won a challenge. In the first, Buddy Carlyle made a great catch on a force play at second.

Brian Snitker challenged the call and the call was easily overturned. It was a challenge that proved profitable as Inciarte would come around to score on a ground out by Markakis.

Also tonight, Adonis Garcia has apparently left his defensive troubles at Gwinnett. Garcia made another outstanding running grab in foul territory.

With the Braves in a shifted alignment, Garcia was the only line of defense on the left side and he made a great sliding catch to end the inning.

Atlanta pounded out 13 runs on 15 hits. The hitting with runners on and in scoring position was the best of the season so far. The six run ninth inning was fun to watch.

Next: Braves Deal Cervenka to Fish

Atlanta looks to take the series tomorrow afternoon at 2:15 PM. Scheduled starters are Mike Foltynewicz (4-5, 4.60) for the Braves and Adam Wainwright (9-5, 4.14) for the Cardinals.

It was a fun night Braves Country. Let’s keep the line moving.