Recap: St. Louis vs. Atlanta
Sports Network | August 24, 2008
St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Albert Pujols went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and three walks, and Braden Looper threw seven solid innings to lead St. Louis to a 6-3 win over Atlanta in the rubber match of a three-game set.
Looper (12-10) picked up the win after allowing three runs on six hits and two walks, with five strikeouts. He has now pitched seven innings in each of his last six starts and not allowed more than three runs in any of them.
Brian Barton finished 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI, while Joe Mather doubled, drove in two and walked twice for the Cardinals, who have won or tied four straight series.
Jo-Jo Reyes (3-10) absorbed the loss, as he allowed six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits and four walks in 5 2/3 frames. It was his second start since being recalled from the minors on August 19, and Reyes has now not won a start since June 13 against the Angels.
Reyes, though, had two RBI at the plate, while Martin Prado also drove in one for the Braves, who have lost seven of eight.
After Mather worked a one-out walk in the home first, Pujols blasted his two- run shot to left field for a 2-0 lead.
The Braves, however, surged in front in the following inning. Looper hit Omar Infante with a pitch, then gave up a single to Prado. After Brandon Jones struck out, Jeff Francoeur walked to load the bases with two outs.
Reyes followed by singling to center to bring in two runs, and Blanco's single plated Francoeur for a 3-2 lead. Those were the only runs Atlanta got, and St. Louis went back ahead for good in the home half of the second.
Yadier Molina and Aaron Miles began the frame with consecutive singles, and a Looper bunt put the runners in scoring position. Barton doubled to left field to score both runners, and give St. Louis a 4-3 edge.
In the fourth, after Barton singled, Cesar Izturis singled to right, and a Francoeur error allowed both runners to advance. Mather took advantage with a sacrifice fly, increasing the Cardinals' lead to two.
Barton reached base on a bunt single in the sixth, and a Mather double plated the run.
Russ Springer took over for Looper in the eighth, and he, Ron Villone and Chris Perez each got an out in the inning. Perez stayed on for the ninth and set the Braves down in order to finish the game.
Perez has five saves this season...Pujols' homer was his 28th of the season...St. Louis next hosts Milwaukee for a two-game set, starting Tuesday...Atlanta begins a three-game series with the Florida Marlins on Tuesday.
