Braves Defeat Cardinals with Stellar Performances from Elder and White

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Atlanta Braves secured a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday at Truist Park, thanks to impressive performances by pitcher Bryce Elder and outfielder Eli White. The game, which was the final matchup of the three-game series, showcased solid pitching and timely hitting as the Braves sought to bounce back from previous losses.

Braves manager Brian Snitker announced White would be in the starting lineup, covering left field and batting seventh. This season, White has struggled at the plate, hitting only .235 with one stolen base prior to the game. However, he broke through with his first home run of the season, adding key runs to the scoreboard.

Elder had one of the best outings of his career, pitching six innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits. He struck out two batters and walked three during his dominant performance. Elder carefully maneuvered around base runners while forcing nine groundouts, showcasing his skills on the mound.

In the first inning, the Cardinals scored first. After walking Lars Nootbar, Elder was fortunate to see Willson Contreras ground into a double play, minimizing the damage. Nolan Arenado doubled, scoring one run, but Elder managed to escape further trouble, thanks to strong defense from the Braves.

The Braves had opportunities early in the game. Michael Harris and Austin Riley each hit singles, but the momentum fizzled when Matt Olson struck out and Ozzie Albies flew out to end the inning without scoring. The Braves continued to create chances but found themselves unable to capitalize until the seventh inning.

Finally, in the seventh, the Braves tied the game thanks to Nick Allen’s double, which allowed Michael Harris to score. This sparked a momentum shift as they broke open the game in the eighth inning. Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies started with back-to-back singles, before White hit a moonshot to give the Braves a 4-1 lead.

The Cardinals attempted a late comeback in the eighth, but Daysbel Hernández, who took over pitching duties, effectively closed the game with two strikeouts and a groundout. The win marked the Braves’ second consecutive series victory, improving their season record.

With the team taking a day off, they will travel to Arizona to face the Diamondbacks starting Friday.