Cooney wins first as Grichuk, Cardinals top Braves
ST. LOUIS -- After opening his career with five no-decisions, lefty Tim Cooney notched his first Major League win while throwing a career-high seven innings in the Cardinals' 4-2 victory over the Braves at Busch Stadium on Friday night.
Cooney received most of his support from center fielder Randal Grichuk, who connected for a two-run homer and scored twice against Braves starter Manny Banuelos. Three of the four runs Banuelos allowed over five-plus innings came with two out.
The Braves shaved a four-run deficit in half with a two-run sixth that snapped Cooney's 12-inning scoreless streak. Cameron Maybin's RBI double off Cooney was Atlanta's only extra-base hit of the night.
"This was definitely my best fastball command, as well as off-speed pitches," said Cooney, who finished seven innings on 74 pitches. "When you're able to locate the ball, good things are going to happen. I was definitely on today, and I feel like I've been getting a little bit better each start."
Video: ATL@STL: Cooney goes seven strong in first career win
With the win, the Cardinals improved to 35-12 at home this year and are a season-high 28 games over .500. The Braves have won just three of their last 11.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Randal rakes: Just as he did on Thursday, Grichuk blasted a two-run homer in his first at-bat of the night on Friday. This one followed a two-out walk by Yadier Molina and traveled 421 feet to move Grichuk into second place on the team's home run leaderboard. Grichuk later singled, swiped second and put the team ahead, 3-0, by scoring on Mark Reynolds' two-out hit.
Video: ATL@STL: Reynolds knocks a single to drive in Grichuk
"It's all about approach for Randal," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "If he has an idea and waits and gets the pitch that he's looking for, he can mis-hit a ball and it's still going to leave the park. Just here recently, I think some things are really starting to click for him because you're seeing the consistent at-bats." More >
Sixth-inning scores: The Braves generated their offense in the sixth when the eight-hole hitter, Andrelton Simmons, led off with a single to center and advanced to second on Banuelos' second sacrifice bunt. Maybin doubled for the first time since July 4 to score Simmons, and then the center fielder scored on a wild pitch after taking third on a groundout.
Video: ATL@STL: Maybin races home on Cooney's wild pitch
Siegrist shines as substitute: With closer Trevor Rosenthal unavailable after pitching on three straight days, the Cardinals tapped Kevin Siegrist as their closer du jour. Siegrist earned his fifth save by striking out Jonny Gomes to end the game with the potential tying runs on base.
"First and second with Jonny Gomes at the plate, who historically wears out left-handed pitching, you feel pretty good about that situation," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Siegrist made some nice pitches on him."
Video: ATL@STL: Siegrist whiffs Gomes to notch the save
Oh, Manny: Banuelos started with a perfect first inning but surrendered runs in each of the next three frames while struggling at times with location in his fourth Major League start.
"Today was a young pitcher pitching; all the signs," Gonzalez said. "You get two quick outs, kind of relax a little bit, and then the inning kind of evolves on him a little bit. Other than that, I thought he did a nice job."
Video: ATL@STL: Banuelos catches Wong leaning, gets the out
Banuelos' four earned runs were the most he's allowed in one start after giving up a total of three -- two earned -- over 15 2/3 innings in his first three starts.
QUOTABLE
"That was a tough series in Pittsburgh [to end the first half]. We went into the break and took those days and came back and have played good baseball. -- Grichuk, on the Cardinals winning six of seven games to start the second half
DONE DEALS
Both clubs executed trades on Friday, one week ahead of the non-waiver Trade Deadline. The Cardinals sent Double-A reliever Kyle Barraclough to Miami for veteran reliever Steve Cishek, who is expected to be in uniform on Saturday. More >
Video: ATL@STL: Cards broadcast discusses acquiring Cishek
Then, shortly before first pitch, the Braves finalized a deal that included Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe going to the Mets for young right-handers Rob Whalen and John Gant. Though the trade was not announced until after the game, the Braves had to play the game without Johnson or Uribe available.
Video: ATL@STL: Booth on acquiring Gant, Whalen from Mets
"I feel very good because I got traded to a contender," Uribe said. "I would have felt bad if I got released or sent home. I know I'm going to a good team and have a chance to be in the playoffs." More >
UNDER REVIEW
A St. Louis run that would have made the score 5-2 came off the board in the sixth when the Braves successfully challenged that first baseman Joey Terdoslavich did apply a tag on Reynolds on the backside of a would-be 5-4-3 double play.
Video: ATL@STL: Braves awarded double play after challenge
Atlanta lost a challenge in the seventh when a throwing error by reliever David Aardsma was confirmed. Terdoslavich did not corral a low throw from Aardsma on a grounder back to the mound by pinch-hitter Stephen Piscotty.
Video: ATL@STL: Piscotty reaches after error, call stands
WHAT'S NEXT
Braves: The Braves send former Cardinals righty Shelby Miller to the mound in the second game of the series on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET.
Cardinals: Carlos Martinez will make his first start of the second half in Saturday's game against the Braves. Martinez did pitch the final four innings of an 18-inning loss last Sunday. He's seeking to become the Cards' second 11-game winner this season.
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