Ozzie Albies powers the Braves past the Cardinals 5-1 as López and the bullpen allow 2 hits
Albies' two-run homer and a masterclass from López and the relief corps stifled St. Louis in a statement win.
Albies' two-run homer and a masterclass from López and the relief corps stifled St. Louis in a statement win.
Ozzie Albies homered and drove in two runs as the Atlanta Braves defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Tuesday night. Atlanta’s offense struck early, with Albies’ two-run blast in the first inning setting the tone.
The Cardinals managed just two hits and one run off Reynaldo López and the bullpen, who combined for a two-hit masterpiece. 2 strong innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out seven. His ability to pitch out of the stretch and limit hard contact kept the Cardinals’ lineup guessing all night.
The right-hander’s fastball command sat at 94-96 mph for stretches, and his changeup induced six whiffs, including two key strikeouts in the fourth. The Braves’ bullpen closed the door, with Raisel Iglesias earning the save after tossing a scoreless ninth. St.
Louis’ lone run came on a solo home run by Nolan Arenado in the sixth, but the Cardinals’ offense never recovered. Atlanta’s defense made key plays behind López, including a crucial double play in the fifth to strand runners. The infield’s range and sure-handedness turned potential hits into outs, a hallmark of Snitker’s defensive philosophy.
The shift’s effectiveness was on full display, with third baseman Austin Riley making two plays on balls hit to the right side that would have fallen for hits in previous seasons. This performance underscores a broader trend: the Braves’ pitching staff has quietly become one of the league’s stingiest units. 89 ERA, ranking in the top five in baseball.
The two-hit gem against St. Louis is the latest example of a rotation that thrives on command and sequencing, not just velocity. 312 slugging percentage over the stretch, both among the best marks in the NL.
Braves manager Brian Snitker praised the pitching staff’s execution. “Reynaldo was sharp, and the bullpen did exactly what we needed,” Snitker said. “That’s the kind of outing that keeps us in games when the offense isn’t perfect.
” What’s next: The Braves (32-20) continue their homestand against the Mets on Wednesday, while the Cardinals (28-25) travel to Miami to face the Marlins. The Braves’ rotation will send Charlie Morton to the mound, while the Mets counter with Kodai Senga in a matchup that could further shape the NL East race. The Cardinals’ offensive drought against elite pitching staffs isn’t new.
Over the last month, St. 50, a clear sign of their struggles to adapt to high-caliber pitching. Their inability to string together hits against Atlanta’s varied arsenal—from López’s power fastball to Dylan Lee’s mid-90s sinker out of the pen—exposes a lineup that leans heavily on power rather than contact skills.
The Cardinals’ reliance on Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt for production means they’re one bad night away from being neutralized, a vulnerability the Braves exploited with surgical precision. The Braves’ success isn’t just about individual performances; it’s a system built on depth and adaptability. 98 ranks third in the NL, and the rotation’s ability to absorb innings without a drop in quality is a luxury in today’s game.
With Morton’s veteran presence and Spencer Strider’s return from the IL looming, Atlanta’s rotation depth is a luxury few teams can match. The Cardinals, meanwhile, must address their offensive stagnation or risk falling further behind in a division where the Braves and Phillies are pulling away. Read at ESPN
The Braves’ pitching staff is emerging as a dominant force, and Albies’ power surge underscores their offensive depth. Holding a major-league lineup to two hits is a statement performance that solidifies Atlanta’s status as a true contender. With both arms and bats clicking, the Braves are positioning themselves as a team to beat in the NL East. Their ability to stifle elite lineups like St. Louis’ suggests they’re peaking at the right time, a dangerous sign for division rivals already struggling to keep pace. The Cardinals’ offensive woes against high-caliber pitching highlight a systemic issue that could derail their playoff push if not addressed.
St. Louis’ discipline and Atlanta’s power clashed in a razor-thin NL showdown where small ball and late swings decided the outcome.
Atlanta prioritizes youth, recalling Jarvis from Gwinnett while cutting veteran Tellez who cleared waivers.
A three-week audition ended in a DFA as Dominic Smith’s DH grip tightened and Jim Jarvis reclaimed a roster spot in Atlanta.
NL East leaders face wild-card hopefuls in a pivotal series finale with high stakes.
Ashwin takes charge as Dublin Guardians bolster squad with du Plessis and Marsh for ETPL.
Tampa Bay climbs the ladder while Miami makes a statement in a chaotic Week 14 for the AL East.
Down 11-4 in the ninth, Oakland rallied to stun the Angels 12-11 in 10 innings.
Arizona's series opener win could shift their season's momentum.
Atlanta prioritizes youth, recalling Jarvis from Gwinnett while cutting veteran Tellez who cleared waivers.
A three-week audition ended in a DFA as Dominic Smith’s DH grip tightened and Jim Jarvis reclaimed a roster spot in Atlanta.
NL East leaders face wild-card hopefuls in a pivotal series finale with high stakes.
St. Louis’ discipline and Atlanta’s power clashed in a razor-thin NL showdown where small ball and late swings decided the outcome.
Walker Buehler silences the Dodgers with six dominant innings, while Ty France’s three-run blast ignites a 7-1 rout that tightens the NL West race.
Ryan Lasko’s promising A’s tenure hit pause after a brutal outfield collision left him with a broken back—and a vow to return stronger.
Colorado's lineup flexes power with 14 runs, Jake McCarthy drives in four, Mickey Moniak nearly hits for the cycle in series-splitting rout.
Four players—including Nationals’ Cade Cavalli and Cardinals’ Willson Contreras—handed suspensions after Tuesday’s explosive benches-clearing brawl at Fenway Park.
Oakland's pitching limited the champions to five hits to save the third game of the series.
New York falls for the seventh game in a row after Camilo Doval's disaster in the eleventh inning and a silenced offense.
The Brewers’ rotation forces Misiorowski to start the Sunday before the break, wiping out his All-Star Game chance and thinning the NL pitching corps.
ESPN’s July 3 lineup advice locks in two must-stream pitchers and ranks the best arms for Friday’s MLB slate.
Arizona’s Becky Burke and Devan Newman reveal how NCAA rule shifts upended their 2026-27 recruiting plans and who’s left standing on their shortlist.
Four Baskonia players fight for qualification while DJ Stewart's debut could solve the club's roster crisis.
From Castellón to England's doorstep, the Congolese striker's rapid rise lands him a La Liga deal.
Parris Todd joins Tifosi Optics as ambassador, marking the brand's strategic pivot into the booming pickleball market.
Ferrari’s fifth-place finish in Austria exposed a clear pace gap to Mercedes and Red Bull. Hamilton insists Silverstone can still be a strong weekend for his new team despite his concerns.
Since 2011, the Mets have sent Bobby Bonilla a $1.19M check every July 1—part of a 2000 deferred deal that runs through 2035. Here’s how it turned a financial blunder into a beloved tradition.
