Nolan Gorman blasted a two-run homer during a crucial second inning, aiding the St. Louis Cardinals in their 9-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves in the second game of Saturday’s split doubleheader. This win saved the Cardinals from a sweep after the Braves claimed the first game 3-2, with Ozzie Albies hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning.
Despite striking out 10, Sonny Gray struggled by surrendering a career-high four home runs in the second game, including two by Marcell Ozuna. Gray remained optimistic, noting that solo home runs alone typically don’t decide the outcome.
Ozuna hit his 28th homer in the sixth inning, with Austin Riley and Eddie Rosario also contributing home runs. Rosario hit a two-run shot in the first game as well.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol commended Gray for handling the Braves’ lineup and bouncing back after a tough sixth inning, which allowed him to pitch a perfect seventh.
Atlanta’s Bryce Elder, called up from Triple-A Gwinnett as the 27th man for the second game, struggled by allowing six runs in five innings. The Cardinals capitalized on his struggles, building a 5-1 lead after the second inning with Alec Burleson adding an RBI single following Gorman’s home run and Brandon Donovan hitting a homer in the fifth inning.
The Braves had a potential two-run homer by Austin Riley overturned in the first inning after a successful challenge by the Cardinals showed the ball was foul.
In the first game, the Braves won in extra innings with Ozzie Albies’ sacrifice fly, and Eddie Rosario hit a game-tying two-run homer in the seventh inning. Rosario, who returned to the Braves after starting the season with the Nationals, appreciated the fans chanting his name during the games.