The St. Louis Cardinals<\/a> managed only two hits and three baserunners, dropping a 5-1 decision to the Atlanta Braves<\/a> Wednesday night at Truist Park. Reynaldo L\u00f3pez<\/a> and four relievers stifled the Cardinals’ lineup, and Ozzie Albies<\/a> drove in two runs to lead the Braves. Michael McGreevy<\/a> took the loss for the Cardinals despite a steady outing. L\u00f3pez earned the win for the Braves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Cardinals grabbed an early lead in the top of the first. Ivan Herrera<\/a> doubled and came around to score on a two-out RBI single from Jordan Walker<\/a> for a 1-0 edge.<\/p>\r\n The Braves answered right away. Ozzie Albies doubled home Drake Baldwin<\/a> 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n L\u00f3pez 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 \u2014 Dylan Dodd<\/a>, Didier Fuentes<\/a>, Dylan Lee<\/a>, and Raisel Iglesias<\/a> \u2014 combined for four scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing no hits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Braves padded their lead in the eighth against Cardinals relievers Justin Bruihl<\/a> and Gordon Graceffo<\/a>. Michael Harris II<\/a> singled home Baldwin to make it 3-1, and Mauricio Dub\u00f3n<\/a> 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.<\/p>\r\n Bruihl was charged with two runs with Graceffo being dinged with the other.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n L\u00f3pez 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Cardinals collected only three baserunners \u2014 two on hits and one on a walk. They scored once, going quiet after the first inning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Cardinals’ relievers surrendered three runs in the eighth, turning a manageable two-run deficit into a tougher four-run hole. Two Blaze Jordan<\/a> errors also hurt the cause on a night when the Cardinals could not afford extra outs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Reynaldo L\u00f3pez (4-1, 3.31 ERA) earned the win for the Braves as Michael McGreevy (3-7, 3.12) took the loss for the Cardinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Cardinals and Braves wrap up their series Thursday, July 2 at 6:15 pm Central at Truist Park. Dustin May<\/a> (5-6, 4.30) is starting for the Cardinals, and Hurston Waldrep<\/a> is making his 2026 season debut for the Braves.<\/p>\r\n\r\nCardinals Strike First<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Albies Takes Over<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
L\u00f3pez and the Relievers Slam the Door<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Braves Pull Away Late<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What Went Right for the Cardinals<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
McGreevy Keeps It Close<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Herrera and Walker Connect<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What Went Right for the Braves<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Albies Leads the Way<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A Dominant Pitching Effort<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What Went Wrong for the Cardinals<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A Silent Offense<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
A Rough Eighth<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What Went Wrong for the Braves<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Early Baserunning Gaffe<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Quick Hits<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Looking Ahead<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\r\n