Braves 7, Cardinals 6

The Braves and Cardinals exchanged late-inning runs in a tight game to the finish. In the end, a Brian McCann two-run double in the ninth gave the Braves a second straight win over the Cards, 7-6.

Brian McCann (AP - Jeff Roberson)

RBI singles by Matt Holliday and Colby Rasmus gave the Cardinals a two-run lead in the first. Adam LaRoche tripled in a run and Tim Hudson hit a two-run homer in the second to put the Braves ahead 3-2. Nate McLouth singled in a run in the fourth but the Cards got it back in the home half for a 4-3 Braves lead.

With a 5-3 lead in the sixth, Mark DeRosa singled in a run to cut the lead to one. They tied it in the eighth on an infield RBI single by Yadier Molina, and took the lead on a Brendan Ryan RBI groundout in the same inning. But the Braves came back in the ninth, loading the bases and scoring the tying and go-ahead runs on a McCann double that just missed being a grand slam.

Tim Hudson: 5 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, BB, K
Peter Moylan: H (22), 2 IP, BB, 4 K
Mike Gonzalez: W (4-4), BS (7), 1 IP, H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Rafael Soriano: S (24), 1 IP, K

Hudson was not as spot on as in his past two starts, giving up two early runs in the first. He settled down to pitch well in the second and third, but gave up a run in the fourth on a walk and two hits. After a scoreless fifth, Hudson gave up three straight hits in the sixth and was pulled. Peter Moylan was absolutely perfect over two innings, bailing Hudson out in the sixth by getting three straight outs with two runners in scoring position. He pitched a perfect seventh by getting Albert Pujols to line out and striking out Holliday and Rasmus. Mike Gonzalez walked the tying run to lead off the eighth, and I don't care what happens after that, it's your fault for starting an inning like that. Rafael Soriano pitched a perfect ninth for the second straight day, meaning we won't see him tomorrow no matter what.

Brian McCann: 3-5, 2 RBI
Tim Hudson: HR, 2 RBI
Adam LaRoche: 2 RBI
Nate McLouth: 3-5, RBI

Everybody had a hit except Yunel, who walked twice and scored. Even old man Chipper got in on the action by going 2-4, but he got too excited and pulled a hammy. McCann saved the day by driving in the winning run in the ninth.

Notable Cardinals:
Albert Pujols: 1-4
Colby Rasmus: 2-4, RBI

Notable Stat:
The homer is Hudson's first career long ball.

Next Game:
9/13: @ Cardinals, 2:15 (Javier Vazquez vs. Chris Carpenter)