Cards score 4 in ninth to rally past Braves


Reuters | Atlanta | Updated: 04-10-2019 07:04 IST | Created: 04-10-2019 07:00 IST
Cards score 4 in ninth to rally past Braves
Image Credit: Twitter (@Cardinals)
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Marcell Ozuna's two-run double highlighted a four-run ninth-inning rally that propelled the visiting St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory Thursday over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The Cardinals never led until their ninth-inning heroics against reliever Mark Melancon (0-1), who had blown the save an inning earlier.

With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, Ozuna slapped a two-strike pitch down the left-field line to break a 3-3 tie. A walk and an out later, Kolten Wong doubled down the right-field line to produce two more runs and stun the sellout crowd at SunTrust Park.

The Braves made it close by scoring three runs in the ninth off Carlos Martinez (1-0), via a two-run homer by Ronald Acuna Jr. and a solo shot by Freddie Freeman. Martinez then got Josh Donaldson to ground out and struck out Nick Markakis. Game 2 will be played on Friday evening in Atlanta. St. Louis will send Jack Flaherty (11-8, 2.75 ERA) to face Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz (8-6, 4.54).

St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas overcame a rocky start and worked five innings. He allowed one run -- coming in the first inning -- on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. Atlanta starter Dallas Keuchel was lifted after throwing 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits and three walks, with no strikeouts.

The Braves got a run in the first inning when Ozzie Albies scored on Donaldson's fielder's choice. The first three batters had reached via two walks and a single. The Cardinals evened the score at 1-1 in the fifth. Harrison Bader reached on an infield hit, was sacrificed to second by Mikolas and stole third -- the first base stolen against Keuchel all season. Bader scored when Dexter Fowler rolled out to second.

The Braves took a 3-1 lead in the sixth when Dansby Swanson lined an infield single off the shoulder of third baseman Tommy Edman that allowed two runs to score. Atlanta reliever Chris Martin left the game with left oblique tightness while he was warming up to start the eighth. Luke Jackson took his place and immediately allowed a long homer to Goldschmidt. Matt Carpenter tied the game with a single to left against Melancon, but Kolten Wong was thrown out at the plate on a nice throw by Adam Duvall to end the inning.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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