Garcia throws 3 smooth innings before trouble against Braves

Published Mar. 16, 2016 7:54 p.m. ET

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KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) Jaime Garcia cruised through three innings before allowing four runs on four hits and the St. Louis Cardinals blew a three-run lead before playing to an 8-8 tie with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

Kolten Wong and Jedd Gyorko both drove in runs as the Cardinals took a quick 3-0 lead off Braves starter Jhoulys Chacin, who gave up three runs on eight hits in three innings pitched.

Garcia allowed just a hit through his first three innings, but after a lead-off single by Ozzie Albies and walk to Jeff Francoeur, Hector Olivera and Gordon Beckham both drove in runs. Ryan Lavarnway hit a two-run double for the Braves' 4-3 lead in the fourth.

The Braves had a four-run eighth behind a two-RBI double by Jace Peterson to regain the lead.

Carlos Peguero hit a pinch-hit solo homer in the ninth to tie the game.

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