Cobb Reporter

The Braves and Cardinals split Saturday’s doubleheader at Truist Park in Atlanta. The first game saw the Braves secure a 3-2 victory thanks to late-game efforts from Eddie Rosario and Ozzie Albies, while the Cardinals triumphed 9-5 in the second game.

In Game 1, the Braves were nearly held scoreless for the third time in five games, managing only two hits over the first 6 2/3 innings. However, Rosario hit a game-tying, two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Albies later secured the win with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Game 2 featured a four-run comeback attempt by the Braves, but St. Louis capitalized on an uneven performance by Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder. The Cardinals scored six runs on eight hits and one walk over five innings, leading to their victory.

Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Gibson was effective through his first six innings in Game 1, allowing just two hits. He was pulled by manager Oliver Marmol after Travis d’Arnaud singled with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ryan Fernandez came on in relief but gave up a Statcast-projected 360-foot home run to Rosario.

“I feel blessed,” Rosario said after hitting his eighth home run of the year. “I want to say thank you to Braves Country.”

Rosario's return marked his first regular-season game at Truist Park since October 1, 2023. Braves manager Brian Snitker praised him: “He’s had a couple of big [hits]. He’s got no pulse, that’s for sure.”

Fernandez had previously given up two home runs against left-handed hitters before facing Rosario.

“Fernandez... has been one of the best in the league at coming in [with traffic on] and stranding runners,” Marmol said.

Gibson finished Game 1 with six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks.

After Pierce Johnson pitched a scoreless top of the tenth inning for Atlanta, Adam Duvall moved to third base on a Zack Short sacrifice bunt. Jarred Kelenic walked and stole second base before Albies drove in Duvall with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Charlie Morton started for Atlanta in Game 1 but earned a no-decision after allowing one run on six hits over six innings with four strikeouts.

In Game 2, Elder struggled as Masyn Winn led off with a triple followed by an Alec Burleston sacrifice fly driving him in. Nolan Gorman's two-run home run helped St. Louis establish a lead they would not relinquish despite solo home runs from Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, and Eddie Rosario making it close at 6-5.

Snitker commented on Elder's performance: “[Elder] got on that little run there after the second inning.”

However, St. Louis added three insurance runs in the ninth inning to seal their victory.