Albies scores winning run in 10th as Braves beat Cardinals 3-2 in opener of split doubleheader

ATLANTA — Ozzie Albies hit a sacrifice fly with one out in the 10th inning to lead the Atlanta Braves to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday in the first game of a split doubleheader.

Adam Duvall, Atlanta’s designated runner, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Zack Short from Chris Roycroft (1-2). Roycroft walked Jarred Kelenic, who was in an 0-for-25 slump, before Albies hit the game-winning fly ball to center field.

With Pedro Pagés at third base for St. Louis, Alec Burleson doubled against Pierce Johnson (3-1) to end the tenth inning.

St. Louis right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson allowed just three hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings before the Cardinals’ bullpen squandered a 2-0 lead.

Nolan Arenado hit a home run for St. Louis. Eddie Rosario hit a tying two-run home run for Atlanta in the seventh.

The scheduled opening match of the three-match series on Friday evening was postponed due to rain, forcing the double header to be played instead.

Gibson made his fourth start of the season in the opening game and recorded six strikeouts and two hits.

Atlanta starter Charlie Morton allowed one run on six hits in six innings.

Burleson’s single off Morton drove in Masyn Winn to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the sixth. Winn led off with a single to right field that bounced under Duvall’s glove. Winn was awarded a triple.

Arenado led off the seventh inning with his ninth home run of the season, hitting a home run off Dylan Lee just out of reach of left fielder Eddie Rosario.

The doubleheader was the Cardinals’ fifth of the season, the third of the month and the second against Atlanta. The teams split a doubleheader in St. Louis on June 26.

On Saturday it rained again, causing the first match to be postponed by 13 minutes.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: There was more to closer Ryan Helsley’s decision to skip the All-Star Game than just load management. Manager Oliver Marmol said nagging hip stiffness influenced the decision. Helsley, who leads the majors with 32 saves, was available Saturday. The right-handed pitcher has appeared in 41 games and has a career high of 54.

NEXT ONE

Atlanta right-handed pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (3-4, 4.43) will face right-handed pitcher Miles Mikolas (7-8, 5.13) in the final game of the series on Sunday.