Cardinals-Braves: Reyes Pitches Well

ST.LOUIS, April 28—The Braves' poor hitting and the Cardinals' stellar pitching were the perfect recipe for the birds to add to the MLB record. However, on this day Jo-Jo Reyes was throwing well, as well limiting the Cardinals to one run on three hits and a walk through seven innings.  The Braves’ bullpen kept things going long enough for their batters to get some runs on the board.

The Cardinal starting pitching has been the best in the majors, with a 12-2 record, despite being without ace Chris Carpenter. Kyle Lohse, who suffered a knee injury in his last game, was taking the mound, looking for his fourth win in April.

In the first inning, Reyes caught the number two batter Colby Rasmus on the forearm, and then walked Albert Pujols to put runners on first and second. Catcher Yadiar Molina lined a single between third and short, scoring Molina. Then Reyes struck out his third batter, to end the inning. The Cardinals got one run hit a batter, a walk, and a hit.

In the second, Reyes started off by striking out the first two batters, before giving up a single to Lohse, who has three hits in 10 at bats on the year. Brian Barden hit a grounder, Lohse was out at second.

For the next seven innings, the pitchers dueled it out with only a handful of base runners on either side. Eventually, Jason Motte relieved Lohse with a rising pitch count, finishing with no runs on four hits and four walks. Motte was welcomed with a single by Schafer into center field.

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In the eighth, Kyle McClellan came on in relief and walked Infante to start things.  Escobar sacrificed Infante to second and Chippier Jones was walked. An out later, Jeff Francoeur was walked to load the bases. Matt Diaz then singled to center scoring Jones and Infante. Schafer struck out to end the inning, Braves 2-1.

The Cardinals went in order in the top of the ninth, showing they are not invincible. The Braves improved to .500 with the win. The Cardinals fell to 15-7.