If any momentum was gained by the Cardinals during their three-game sweep of the Marlins, it was promptly dissipated in Atlanta over the weekend.
On the heels of winning Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader behind a complete game by Adam Wainwright and a nine-run outburst, they couldn’t convert for a sweep in the nightcap.
Held to two hits, St. Louis fell 1-0, losing for the fourteenth time in the last 20 games and dropping to .500.
Sunday night’s loss also marked the third time in less than a week that the Cards have been shut out.
“Our offense is capable, I think that’s the frustrating part of it, when we don’t put together consistent at-bats over any period or stretch,” said Mike Shildt.
It wasn’t until the sixth inning that the Cardinals finally mustered a hit off of Braves starter Drew Smyly, as Paul Goldschmidt reached, after which Smyly was pulled in favor of Luke Jackson.
Nolan Arenado also reached on a base-hit, giving the Cardinals a little more life. But the opportunity went for naught as Tyler O’Neill struck out.
More encouraging though was the fact that Kwang-Hyun Kim looked sharp through four innings, only allowing one run on Ronald Acuna Jr.’s solo blast, the 100th of his career. Unfortunately for Kim and the Cardinals, that run proved to be the difference.
“That mistake pitch to Acuna, that pitch is still on my mind,” Kim said, speaking through interpreter Craig Choi.
Kim was lifted in the fifth for pinch-hitter Lane Thomas, but relievers Ryan Helsley and Genesis Cabrera both worked scoreless frames, which is a positive sign for a bullpen that has been taxed due to inconsistent starts and injuries.
St. Louis went quietly in the seventh, ultimately dropping 3 of 4 to Atlanta.
The Cardinals will now head to Detroit for a 2006 World Series rematch with the Tigers, with Johan Oviedo and John Gant taking the ball in the two-game series.
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