Matthew Liberatore blanked the visiting Atlanta Braves for six innings on two hits as the St. Louis Cardinals won the second half of a split doubleheader 4-1 Wednesday night.
The Braves won the first game 6-2.
Liberatore (2-2) has worked primarily in relief this year. He was supposed to be the opener in a scheduled bullpen start.
Instead, he lasted 85 pitches and set his season high for innings. He struck out a career-high eight batters and walked just one.
Ryan Helsley closed out the ninth to convert his 28th consecutive save, extending his team-record streak.
Alec Burleson hit two doubles and drove in two runs as the Cardinals won for the 10th time in 14 games.
The Braves lost for just the fourth time in 13 games.
Atlanta starting pitcher Bryce Elder (1-3) allowed two runs on four hits in six innings while striking out and walking none.
The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead with a two-out breakthrough in the third inning. Michael Siani and Masyn Winn hit singles and Burleson drove them in with a double into the right field corner.
St. Louis threatened against reliever Grant Holmes in the seventh inning. Brendan Donovan hit a single, stole second base and took third on an error.
Nolan Gorman walked and stole second base, but Siani hit an inning-ending flyout to strand them.
The Braves cut their deficit to 2-1 in the eighth inning. Ramon Laureano hit a two-out double off Andrew Kittredge and Sean Murphy followed with an infield single.
Jarred Kelenic greeted JoJo Romero with an RBI single, but Ozzie Albies grounded out to end the rally.
The Cardinals increased their lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the inning.
Burleson hit a double and Paul Goldschmidt followed with an RBI single. Goldschmidt stole second base and scored on Donovan’s single.
Matt Olson drew a one-out walk in the ninth inning and Austin Riley hit a single. But Travis d’Arnaud hit into a forceout and Adam Duvall struck out to end the game.
–Field Level Media