Cardinals struggle again in 6-3 loss to Braves
ST. LOUIS -- Playing the last-place Atlanta Braves seemed to be the perfect time for the St. Louis Cardinals to finally assert some home-field advantage.
Instead, with ace Adam Wainwright pitching, they were only handed more heartache.
Mike Foltynewicz worked six strong innings, Nick Markakis and Erick Aybar had two RBIs apiece and the Braves kept the Cardinals down at home with a 6-3 victory on Sunday.
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"We go through our ups and we go through our downs and we're very consistently inconsistent," Brandon Moss said. "That's all there is to it."
The Cardinals are 26-32 at home after going 55-26 last season, but have been good on the road at 32-21. They were 6-4 on the previous homestand, including a four-game sweep of the Padres, but have dropped four of their last five home series.
"This is the first time we've had to hear about it in a while," manager Mike Matheny said. "I still say we're going to win our fair share at home, but I think it's one of those things where you just can't describe, you can't explain."
Matt Kemp added two hits and an RBI to help the Braves take two of three, outscoring the Cardinals 19-8 over the last two games. Atlanta has the worst record in the majors at 41-70, but has won seven of its last 11 overall.
Wainwright (9-6) had a rare off day against Atlanta, allowing three runs in the first and second. He entered 8-2 with a 2.95 ERA against the Braves, who drafted him in the first round in 2000 and traded him to St. Louis in a 2003 deal for J.D. Drew.
"I've never had an inning where I threw 39 pitches that I commanded the ball OK," Wainwright said. "It was a frustrating game, no doubt."
Waino on today's loss: “We needed to win that game. I’m sorry we didn’t. That’s my fault.” #STLCards #ATLvsSTLhttps://t.co/IQijE2WVKX
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) August 7, 2016
Braves interim manager Brian Snitker thought Wainwright was going to retire the side in order in the first.
"Next thing you know he walks Freddie (Freeman) and guys start grinding out at-bats," Snitker said. "It's what we've been doing."
Moss had a sacrifice fly and a double, and Yadier Molina had three hits and an RBI for St. Louis.
Foltynewicz (5-5) gave up a run and six hits. In his previous three outings, he allowed 14 earned runs over 16 1/3 innings.
He was careful to give the Cardinals a nod.
"This is a great team," the right-hander said, "even though they're not doing so hot right now."
Jim Johnson earned his eighth save.
Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia made an outstanding stab down the line to turn a double play on Jhonny Peralta in the sixth.
After needing 61 pitches to get through the first two innings, Wainwright finished strong with four scoreless frames. But the Cardinals stranded five runners over the first two.
"It was a weird game, man," Wainwright said. "One thing I know is I felt great and I'll be ready next time."
STILL STREAKING
Atlanta CF Ender Inciarte singled and scored in the second and has an 18-game hitting streak, matching his career best set in 2014. Aybar had a two-run triple in the second and has hit in 12 straight.
ROSTER UTILIZATION
Braves RHP Madison Younginer was put straight to work after his contract was purchased from Triple-A Gwinnett and he had a rough debut, allowing two runs while getting two outs. Atlanta claimed RHP Chaz Roe off waivers from the Orioles and designated OF-INF Brandon Snyder for assignment.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cardinals: 2B Matt Carpenter was not in the lineup a day after getting removed with apparent side muscle difficulties. He was activated off the DL on Friday after missing 24 games with a strained right oblique.
UP NEXT
Braves: Rob Whalen (1-0, 7.20 ERA) makes his second career start on Monday, working the opener of a four-game series at Milwaukee.
Cardinals: Michael Wacha (7-7, 4.35) has won his last five decisions heading into the opener of a three-game series against the Reds.
