The Atlanta Braves lost to the St. Louis Cardinals by a final score of 11-6 on Wednesday night in the second meeting of a three-game set at Truist Park. It marked the third straight loss for Atlanta.
The Cardinals scored four runs during the top of the first inning on a two-run homer by Paul Goldschmidt, a ground-out by Willson Contreras, and an RBI single from Alec Burleson. They added two more runs in the third on an RBI single by Contreras and a grounder by Burleson. The Braves scored two runs in the fourth on an RBI double by Marcell Ozuna and fielder’s choice ground-out from Orlando Arcia. Masyn Winn led off the top of the sixth with a home run for St. Louis. Matt Olson opened the bottom of that inning with a homer for Atlanta, his MLB-leading 46th of the season. Michael Harris II added an RBI single in the sixth. Contreras hit a solo home run for the Cards during the top of the seventh. Austin Riley clubbed a solo shot for the Braves in the bottom of that inning. However, the Cardinals scored three more runs during the eighth on a homer by Nolan Gorman and won the game, again, by a final score of 11-6.
Spencer Strider was charged with the loss for Atlanta after giving up six runs and six hits, walking three, and striking out five over just two and two-third innings. Dakota Hudson picked up the win for St. Louis.
The National League East-leading Braves still have the best record in MLB, now 90-48 on the 2023 regular season. The Cardinals are 61-78 and in last place of the NL Central. Those teams will meet in their series finale tonight. First pitch is set for 7:20 pm in Atlanta. Catch all the action on WLAQ 1410 AM/96.9 FM; airtime is 6:05 pm from the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.
In other news from the Atlanta Braves, pitcher Michael Soroka is out for the rest of this season with forearm inflammation.