Murphy hits two long HRs, Braves beat Cardinals 6-5
Context:
Sean Murphy's exceptional performance, featuring two of the longest home runs at Busch Stadium this season, led the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Murphy's first home run, a 437-foot shot, gave the Braves an early 3-0 lead, while his second, a 440-foot solo homer, extended the advantage to 5-2. The Braves' offensive strength was complemented by Enyel De Los Santos' effective relief pitching and Raisel Iglesias securing the win with a flawless ninth inning. Despite a strong comeback attempt by the Cardinals, featuring a crucial two-out, bases-loaded single by Pedro Pagés, the Braves maintained their lead. Atlanta's victory marked their 1,000th win against the Cardinals, although they still trail in the all-time series by 106 wins with 18 ties.
Dive Deeper:
Sean Murphy hit two extraordinary home runs, measuring 437 and 440 feet, contributing significantly to the Atlanta Braves' narrow victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The first home run provided an early 3-0 lead, and the second extended it to 5-2 in the third inning.
Murphy and Ronald Acuña Jr. both recorded three hits each, out of the Braves' total of 12, showcasing their offensive prowess in the game. Acuña also contributed by hitting a double early in the game and scoring on Austin Riley's single.
Enyel De Los Santos played a crucial role in the Braves' win with two perfect innings in relief, stabilizing the game after starter Grant Holmes allowed five runs in three innings. Raisel Iglesias closed the game with a clean ninth inning, marking his 10th save of the season.
The Cardinals made a spirited attempt to come back, narrowing the Braves' lead to 6-5 with critical hits from Alec Burleson, Willson Contreras, and Pedro Pagés. However, the Braves' pitching staff managed to hold the lead.
Austin Riley left the game early due to abdominal tightness, necessitating adjustments in the Braves' lineup. Despite this setback, the team maintained focus and achieved a milestone victory against the Cardinals.
Atlanta's victory over St. Louis was not only a testament to their resilience but also marked their 1,000th win against the Cardinals, although the Braves still lag behind in the overall series between the two teams.
The Braves have yet to announce their starting pitcher for the next game, where they will face Cardinals' right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde, who holds a record of 3-9 with a 4.79 ERA this season.