Franchise Best Association

[motnahp]

Albert Pujols doubled, homered and drive in 3 runs as the Cardinals sent the Braves to their 3rd straight loss, 5-2 in St. Louis.

FRI APR 29

ATL_____2___8___0
STL_____5___9___0

WP: Morris (2-0)
LP: Neagle (1-2)
SV: Isringhausen (8)

HR: Klesko (2), Graffanino (1), Pujols (3), Lankford (3)

[motnahp]

Scott Rolen's 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th sent the Braves to their 4th straight loss, as the Cardinals prevailed, 3-2.

SAT APR 30

ATL_____2___9___3
STL_____3___6___0

WP: Calero (2-1)
LP: Glavine (2-1)
SV: Isringhausen (9)

HR: Pujols (4), Rolen (2)

[motnahp]

League standings at the end of April:

[motnahp]

Keith Lockhart's RBI single in the top of the 8th provided the game's only run, as Greg Maddux stretched his scoreless innings streak to 26 1/3 innings and improved to 5-0. Maddux allowed 6 hits in 7 innings, striking out 5 and walking 2.

The Braves now return home for a 3-game series against the Pirates. John Smoltz makes his first start since straining a hamstring on April 22nd.

SUN MAY 1

ATL_____1___9___0
STL_____0___7___0

WP: Maddux (5-0)
LP: King (1-3)
SV: Ligtenberg (6)

HR: None

[motnahp]

The Pirates plated 4 runs in the top of the 2nd and held on to beat the Braves 5-3.

MON MAY 2

PIT_____5___9___0
ATL_____3___7___0

WP: Ellis (2-0)
LP: Smoltz (0-3)
SV: Giusti (5)

HR: C Jones (3)

[motnahp]

Pittsburgh made it two straight against the Braves, winning 6-3 in 11 innings. Atlanta had a golden opportunity to win in the bottom of the 10th. With runners on 1st and 3rd and one out, Gene Garber induced Ryan Klesko to hit into a double play to end the inning. Kerry Ligtenberg was wrongly tagged with the loss. He entered the game in the top ofthe 11th with two runners on and no one out. He allowed both runs to score and gave up one of his own.

TUE MAY 3

PIT_____6__13___0 (11 innings)
ATL_____3___9___1

WP: Garber (1-0)
LP: Ligtenberg (0-2)
SV: Giusti (6)

HR: Stargell (2)