Cardinals' Bats Go Cold in Loss to Braves

Ozzie Albies of the Braves celebrating a home run against the Cardinals

Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

July 1, 2026

Braves 5, Cardinals 1

The St. Louis Cardinals managed only two hits and three baserunners, dropping a 5-1 decision to the Atlanta Braves Wednesday night at Truist Park. Reynaldo López and four relievers stifled the Cardinals’ lineup, and Ozzie Albies drove in two runs to lead the Braves. Michael McGreevy took the loss for the Cardinals despite a steady outing. López earned the win for the Braves.

Cardinals Strike First

The Cardinals grabbed an early lead in the top of the first. Ivan Herrera doubled and came around to score on a two-out RBI single from Jordan Walker for a 1-0 edge.

The Braves answered right away. Ozzie Albies doubled home Drake Baldwin in the bottom of the first to tie the game at one, though the rally ended when Albies was thrown out at third on the same play, with Jordan Walker collecting an outfield assist.

Albies Takes Over

Albies put the Braves ahead in the third with a two-out solo home run to right-center off McGreevy, a 380-foot shot that made it 2-1. It was his 13th of the season.

McGreevy settled in from there but absorbed the loss. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits over six innings, striking out three and walking one on 87 pitches. He gave the Cardinals length and a Quality Start, but the offense could not support him.

López and the Relievers Slam the Door

López was in control for the Braves. He allowed one run on two hits over five innings, striking out six and walking one on 69 pitches. After his exit, four relievers — Dylan Dodd, Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee, and Raisel Iglesias — combined for four scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing no hits.

The Cardinals never mounted a threat after the first. They finished with two hits and went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position, stranding two runners on a quiet night at the plate.

Braves Pull Away Late

The Braves padded their lead in the eighth against Cardinals relievers Justin Bruihl and Gordon Graceffo. Michael Harris II singled home Baldwin to make it 3-1, and Mauricio Dubón followed with a sacrifice bunt that scored Albies for a 4-1 lead. The Braves added another run in the inning to push the final margin to 5-1.

Bruihl was charged with two runs with Graceffo being dinged with the other.

What Went Right for the Cardinals

McGreevy Keeps It Close

McGreevy gave the Cardinals six innings and allowed only two runs. He kept the game within reach into the late innings, and on most nights his outing would have given the offense a chance.

Herrera and Walker Connect

Herrera doubled and scored the Cardinals’ lone run, with Walker singling him home. The pair accounted for both of the Cardinals’ hits on the night.

What Went Right for the Braves

Albies Leads the Way

Albies went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, and two RBI. His go-ahead homer in the third was the decisive swing.

A Dominant Pitching Effort

López and the relievers held the Cardinals to two hits and one run. The relievers were especially sharp, combining for four perfect innings to close it out.

What Went Wrong for the Cardinals

A Silent Offense

The Cardinals collected only three baserunners — two on hits and one on a walk. They scored once, going quiet after the first inning.

A Rough Eighth

The Cardinals’ relievers surrendered three runs in the eighth, turning a manageable two-run deficit into a tougher four-run hole. Two Blaze Jordan errors also hurt the cause on a night when the Cardinals could not afford extra outs.

What Went Wrong for the Braves

Early Baserunning Gaffe

The Braves nearly cost themselves in the first, when Albies was thrown out at third to end the inning after his RBI double. Walker’s outfield assist limited the damage, though the Braves recovered quickly.

Quick Hits

The Cardinals fell to 44-39 with the loss, while the Braves improved to 50-34.
López and four relievers held the Cardinals to two hits and a walk.
Albies homered, doubled, and drove in two runs.
The Cardinals went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position; the Braves went 3-for-7.

Looking Ahead

Reynaldo López (4-1, 3.31 ERA) earned the win for the Braves as Michael McGreevy (3-7, 3.12) took the loss for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals and Braves wrap up their series Thursday, July 2 at 6:15 pm Central at Truist Park. Dustin May (5-6, 4.30) is starting for the Cardinals, and Hurston Waldrep is making his 2026 season debut for the Braves.