Braves salvage series finale with Cardinals, win 5-2

Atlanta's B-lineup did it again, scoring three runs in the first two innings against Lance Lynn and the Cardinals as Mike Minor helped the Braves prevent a sweep with a 5-2 victory.

Six pitches into the game, Atlanta had a 1-0 lead after Jordan Schafer led off with a triple and scored on Elliot Johnson's single to right. Atlanta then strung together four hits in the second inning, plating a pair: Paul Janish singled home Gerald Laird who led off with a single followed by Jordan Schafer doubling home Joey Terdoslavich.

Mike Minor scattered four hits through the first five innings; Matt Holliday denied Minor a shutout with an RBI groundout in the sixth, but Andrelton Simmons restored the three-run lead with a seventh-inning homer off Lynn, who lasted seven innings. Gerald Laird padded Atlanta's lead further with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Minor pitched seven innings and allowed six hits, striking out two.

Back-to-back two-out hits by Holliday and Allen Craig in the eighth brought the Cardinals a run closer, only to be denied by Craig Kimbrel earning a four-out save.

Of Atlanta's 10 hits in the game, none came from Freddie Freeman or Justin Upton.

Atlanta's magic number is down to 20 for clinching the division.

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