Cardinals 3, Braves 2
Backup catcher Gerald Laird tripled in the winning run in the ninth inning off closer Craig Kimbrel as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals edged the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Saturday.
Surging St. Louis won for the eighth time in 10 games with yet another unlikely hero emerging for the National League Central leaders. On Friday, reserve Nick Punto tripled in the winning runs in the 11th.
Saturday’s game was scoreless in the fifth when Atlanta’s Martin Prado ripped a two-out, two run double past third. St. Louis tied it in the eighth when David Freese swatted a two-out fastball the other way for a two-run single off Jonny Venters.
MLB batting leader Matt Holliday led off the St. Louis ninth with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on Laird’s drive to left-center.
Fernando Salas struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his second save. Once a trouble spot, the Cards’ bullpen has pitched seven scoreless innings in this series.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez and shortstop Alex Gonzalez were ejected in the ninth for arguing a strike call.
Atlanta starter Brandon Beachy and Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook each shined, but did not figure in the decision.