Braves rally on Sean Murphy's 3-run homer, then hold off slumping Cardinals 7-6
ATLANTA (AP) — Sean Murphy hit a three-run homer during Atlanta's five-run eighth inning, and the Braves beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Monday night for their fourth consecutive victory.
Austin Riley hit a two-run homer for Atlanta, and Michael Harris II added two hits and drove in a run. Daysbel Hernández (2-0) got three outs for the win.
St. Louis lost its fifth consecutive game. It dropped to 1-10 on the road.
The Cardinals rallied with three runs in the ninth against Raisel Iglesias. Victor Scott II doubled home Pedro Pagés before Willson Contreras connected for a two-run homer.
Brendan Donovan walked with two outs before Murphy ended the game by tagging out Nolan Arenado on a dribbler ball just in front of home plate.
The Braves grabbed control in the eighth. Harris hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly before Murphy went deep.
Cardinals reliever Phil Maton (0-1) got one out and was charged with four runs.
St. Louis wasted a solid performance by Erick Fedde, who pitched six innings of two-run ball.
Atlanta right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach permitted three runs — two earned — and eight hits in seven innings.
Cardinal manager Oliver Marmol was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes.
Riley was initially ruled out on a grounder to shortstop in the eighth, but he was awarded a one-out single after a replay reversal. He scored the tying run on Matt Olson's single.
Riley has seven homers in his last 12 games against the Cardinals.
Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1, 3.22 ERA) will start Game 2 of the three-game series. The Braves are going with a bullpen game on Tuesday after Spencer Strider was placed on the 15-day IL with a strained hamstring.
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