Braves rock Waino early in win over Cards

ST. LOUIS — Last in the Majors in runs scored, the Braves did not look offensively challenged at Busch Stadium this weekend. After scoring 13 runs to even the series a day earlier, Atlanta knocked around Adam Wainwright for six quick runs on Sunday that held up for a 6-3 victory over the Cardinals.

“Coming off last night you never know what will happen with a quick turnaround,” Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. “They just kind of picked up right where they left off. …To come in here and take two of three from the Cardinals at any point in time, that’s really good.”

Wainwright retired the first two batters of the game and then watched 11 of the next 12 Atlanta hitters reach. Nick Markakis and Jace Peterson delivered run-scoring hits in a three-run first, and Erick Aybar’s two-run triple in the second left Wainwright teetering. By the time Wainwright closed the second with a double play, he had thrown 61 pitches and was staring into a six-run hole.

Though Wainwright rebounded with four scoreless innings to follow, the Cardinals never did. They turned six hits and two walks off Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz into one run. Foltynewicz was at his best when pitching with runners on base. Over the Cardinals’ last four games, they’ve scored a total of seven runs.

“You just try and put it in the back of your head,” Foltynewicz said of pitching with the lead. “It’s kind of difficult to pitch like that. You’ve just got to stay aggressive and still attack the strike zone which I think I did a good job [of] today.”

The Braves, who have won back-to-back series for the first time since June, have eight victories in their last 12 games.

As for the Cardinals, who began the day tied with the Marlins for the second National League Wild Card spot, they have squandered an opportunity to separate themselves in that race over the last week. The club has lost six of eight and consecutive series against last-place clubs.

“Certainly for where we should be, it’s pretty dadgum dark,” Wainwright said. “Nobody in this clubhouse is quitting. Nobody in this clubhouse is expecting this to continue for the entire season. We’re all expecting to play much better baseball and more consistent baseball. We just need our starting pitcher to go out there and not give up six in the first two innings and give his team a chance.”

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