Hours after the Cardinals pitched and blasted their way to one of their most dominating, impressive wins of the season, they failed to bring that same energy into Sunday Night Baseball.

A 1-0 loss to the Braves in Game 2 of the doubleheader at Truist Park was an about-face from the 9-1 win in the afternoon’s affair. Kwang Hyun Kim was on a positive trajectory, but St. Louis was held hitless into the sixth inning by Atlanta starter Drew Smyly and was forced to stomach another contest with the offense relinquishing momentum.

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“Our offense is capable, I think that's the frustrating part of it,” said manager Mike Shildt, “when we don't put together consistent at-bats over any period or stretch.”

The nightcap loss came on the heels of an immaculate morning, with Adam Wainwright moving into a tie for first place among active players in complete games -- a seven-inning, 11-strikeout performance -- Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt going yard and Yadier Molina having himself a day both at and behind the dish.

It proved to be a pivotal victory for St. Louis, who enters Monday’s off-day with just one win in Atlanta after entering the series riding high off a sweep of the Marlins. Now: three consecutive series against teams in last place of their respective divisions.

Here are three takeaways at the outset of a stretch that can offer respite for the Cardinals:

1. Offense incessantly boom or bust
Twice in Atlanta were the Cardinals confounded like they were against Smyly on Sunday night. The first came on Thursday, when Charlie Morton took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, only to be broken up by Goldschmidt (who also proved the foil in Smyly’s evening with an infield single in the sixth).

In this current stretch, 6-14 over their last 20 games, the Cardinals are averaging just three runs and seven hits per game and have not hit double digits in the former, entering Sunday with one home run in their previous six contests.

The Game 1 outburst -- nine runs, 14 hits, which inflate the above numbers a tad -- was an event the Cardinals have longed to be expected, not abnormal.

“There was a time when we felt like we were winning every game and getting every big hit,” Goldschmidt said. “That's just how the season goes; there's ups and downs, and hopefully, there'll be some ups going forward.”

2. Little progress through sub-.500 trip
There were two causes for optimism heading into Atlanta. The first, St. Louis was fresh off a three-game sweep of the Marlins, albeit with razor-thin margins. The second, it continued a stretch of 20 consecutive games against teams under .500.

Seven games in, the Cards are 4-3, just one game better than .500, against teams they’d like to build some momentum against.

The saving grace: Milwaukee, Chicago and Cincinnati have all hit a bit of a rough stretch as well.

What’s more, the Cards are 0-4 on Sunday Night Baseball this season, without another currently set on the schedule.

3. Kim continues to return to form
The nature of a seven-inning game changed the complexion of Kim’s night, he said, viewing himself as the first of several rested relievers instead of a starter who needs to pitch deep. That was thanks to Wainwright’s complete game in the first half of the twin bill and an unexpected day of rest in Saturday’s rainout.

Healthwise, Kim said he still needs a few more outings to feel wholly comfortable -- mentally and physically -- from the back ailment that forced him to miss a start.

Kim seemed primed to match Smyly step for step, but the shorter fuse on a short game caused Shildt to lift Kim for a pinch-hitter after just 47 pitches, 32 strikes. Kim’s hanging slider to Ronald Acuña Jr. in the third proved the only offense -- for either team.

"That mistake pitch to Acuña,” Kim said through interpreter Craig Choi, “that pitch is still in my mind.”