Braves comeback falls short in 6-5 loss.

The Braves had runners on second and third in the bottom of the ninth with two outs but couldn’t scratch across the game-tying run. Lucas Sims struggled through 5 innings giving up 5 runs (4 earned) but managed the game enough to give the Braves a chance.

The Braves got started quickly getting singles from Brandon Phillips and Freddie Freeman to get runners on first and second. Nick Markakis drew a walk to load the bases and then Kurt Suzuki continued his career year smoking a single to left to score two. The Braves would have to settle for just two runs though as Matt Adams popped up and Ozzie Albies struck out to end the frame.

The Cardinals came back quickly though in their half of the first when Matt Carpenter hit a single and advance to second on an error by Lucas Sims. Carpenter would later come in to score on a single by Dexter Fowler cutting the Braves lead to 2-1.

Randal Grichuk added a solo home run in the bottom of the second to knot the game at 2.

Sims gave up three more runs in the fourth inning after Grichuk hit a double to put runners on second and third for Greg Garcia who grounded out to Ozzie Albies scoring a run in the process. The opposing pitcher Carlos Martinez then added a single of his own to make the score 4-2. Finally to cap off the inning Tommy Pham hit a single to bring in Carlos putting the Cardinals up 5-2.

Brandon Phillips chipped away at the lead in the top of the fifth with a solo home run his ninth of the year.

Paul DeJong got that run back in the seventh inning when he hit a solo homer off of Jose Ramirez.

The Braves then tried to mount a comeback in the top of the ninth with a single from Dansby Swanson and an error which allowed Danny Santana to reach. Brandon Phillips walked to load the bases and then Freddie Freeman hit a single to right scoring two to make the score 6-5. Freddie then stole second and with runners on second and third and two outs it was all up to Nick Markakis who struck out to end the game.

The Braves will hope for better luck tomorrow against the Cardinals when they send out knuckler R.A Dickey to face Michael Wacha.