Cardinals beat free-falling Braves 5-3

Nathan Church hit a three-run homer, Nelson Velázquez added a solo shot and Matthew Liberatore threw five strong innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Velázquez started a four-run fourth inning with his third homer of the year — a 444-foot shot to center field that tied the game at 1. Church followed later in the inning with his sixth homer of the season, a three-run shot, to increase the lead to 4-1.

Liberatore (4-5) struck out nine and allowed one run on one hit. Coming into the game, Liberatore had a 10.34 ERA in the month of June. Riley O’Brien pitched a scoreless ninth inning and earned his 21st save of the season.

Atlanta went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base against the Cardinals.

The Braves (49-34) have lost 13 of their last 17 and have a 2 1/2 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the division.

Atlanta RHP Reynaldo López (3-1, 3.47 ERA) faces St. Louis RHP Michael McGreevy (3-6, 3.12 ERA) in the second game of the series on Wednesday.


(AP Photo Mike Stewart)