Right-hander Sonny Gray earned his first career win over the Atlanta Braves as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals picked up a 9-5 victory on Saturday to earn a split of a day-night doubleheader. The Braves won the first game of the twin bill 3-2 in 10 innings. Gray (10-6) pitched seven innings and allowed five runs on eight hits, including a career-high four homers. He didn't issue a walk, struck out 10 and picked up his first win since June 23. Entering Saturday, Gray was 0-3 in six career starts against Atlanta. Kyle Leahy replaced Gray and worked a scoreless eighth and ninth to notch his first career save. Atlanta starter Bryce Elder (1-4) went five innings and gave up six runs on eight hits. He issued one walk and fanned a season-high nine. St. Louis had 14 hits. Designated hitter Alec Burleson went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs, Willson Contreras also had three hits and Brendan Donovan had two hits and three RBIs. Each team scored in its half of the first inning thanks to a leadoff triple. Masyn Winn tripled and scored on Burleson's sacrifice fly for the Cardinals, and Atlanta got that run back when Jarred Kelenic tripled and scored on an Ozzie Albies single. The Cardinals pushed across four runs in the second inning to take a 5-1 lead. Nolan Gorman hit a two-run homer, and Burleson and Contreras later followed with run-scoring singles. Marcell Ozuna pulled the Braves within 5-2 in the fourth with a 424-foot solo shot. St. Louis expanded its lead to 6-2 on Donovan's solo homer in the fifth. The Braves got back in the game with three solo home runs in the sixth inning. Austin Riley, who had a first-inning homer taken away after a video review, started the barrage, and Ozuna and Eddie Rosario hit back-to-back blasts after Matt Olson struck out to make it 6-5. St. Louis added insurance in the ninth thanks to an RBI single from Burleson and a two-run single from Donovan. --Field Level Media
Jul 20, 2024; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports