3 ugly moments from St. Louis Cardinals series with Braves

The St. Louis Cardinals did manage to win the final game of a four-game set with the Atlanta Braves, avoiding a sweep.

It wasn’t pleasant. But the Cardinals managed to avoid the sweep thanks to some outstanding play from Dylan Carlson on Thursday.

Carlson knocked a single to second base, allowing Nolan Arenado to score the winning run in the 11th inning. Carlson entered the game in the seventh inning and went 3-for-3. The Cardinals won 3-2. Carlson made an outstanding catch in the ninth inning off Michael Harris II. Carlson made the catch and fired the ball to cut off man Tommy Edman who quickly threw to Paul Goldschmidt at first to make a game-saving double play.

Fantastic play from Carlson.

The Cardinals even got some good effort from their pitchers. Matthew Liberatore pitched a solid four innings, giving up three hits and three walks. He struck out four batters and induced nine swings and misses. Jordan Hicks looked great in his two innings of work. He gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two. Hicks velocity topped out at 103.8. Whew!

Giovanny Gallegos blew his fifth save in his one inning of work. He gave up a home run to Michael Harris II. He did strike out two and induced six swings and misses. Junior Fernandez pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a hit and a walk.

Ryan Helsley earned his fifth win of the season, pitching 2.1 innings, giving up two hits, a walk, and a run, whilst striking out three batters. He induced nine swings and misses.

Packy Naughton earned his first save of the season working a clean 11th inning.

Prior to Thursday’s win, the Cardinals lost Monday 6-3, Tuesday 7-1, and Wednesday 3-0

The Cardinals head back to St Louis for a long homestand before the All-Star break. They will take on the Phillies for a three-game set starting Friday evening.

Here’s a look at the bad things that happened during the Cardinals’ four-game set against the Braves.