Wednesday’s Game Report: Braves 4, Cardinals 1
By Rob Rains
The Cardinals completed another rough road trip on Wednesday and nobody had a tougher trip than Ryan Fernandez.
Fernandez inherited two runners on base from JoJo Romero in a 1-1 game in the eighth inning against the Braves in Atlanta, but those runners didn’t stay on base for long.
Eli White hit the third pitch from Fernandez for a three-run homer that gave the Braves the victory.
Fernandez also allowed a walk-off homer to Francisco Lindor of the Mets on the trip and in three appearances allowed five runs in just 1 2/3 innings. For the season Fernandez is 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in his eight appearances.
The loss spoiled the best start of the season from Miles Mikolas, who worked six shutout innings.
The loss left the Cardinals with a 1-6 record on the trip to New York and Atlanta and dropped their overall road record this season to 2-11.
Here is how Wednesday’s game broke down:
At the plate: Two walks helped the Cardinals score in the first inning on a double by Nolan Arenado, but that turned out to be their only run in the game. It was the first run the Cardinals scored in the opening inning since April 6 … Alec Burleson had three of the team’s seven hits but they left nine runners on base … Jordan Walker had a tough series in his native Atlanta as he was 0-of-4 on Wednesday and 0-of-11 in the three games. Walker had just one hit in 23 at-bats during the road trip.
On the mound: Mikolas scattered six hits over his six innings, his longest outing of the season. He walked two and struck out two, throwing 89 pitches … Mikolas left with a 1-0 lead but the Braves tied the game against John King in the seventh before getting the go-ahead runs in the eighth. Romero allowed singles to the first two hitters in the inning, then left after getting an out, and Fernandez served up the game-winning homer.
Key stat: The Cardinals are in a stretch where they will play 20 of 29 games on the road from the time this trip started until May 19.
Worth noting: If the Cardinals decide to bring up a reliever from Memphis, the best candidate might be Riley O’Brien. O’Brien was hurt for much of last season but did pitch in the majors. So far this season at Triple A he has struck out 14 batters over seven innings … Brendan Donovan missed his second consecutive game because of a displaced rib. He was said to have been available off the bench on Wednesday but did not play in the game.
Up next: The Cardinals will have the day off on Thursday before hosting the division-rival Brewers this weekend at Busch Stadium. After the three games it’s back on the road, to Cincinnati. Ten of their next 13 games will be against NL Central opponents.
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