Atlanta Braves Fall To Cards Late

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Apr 10, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Dan Winkler (58) (center) is helped off the field after being injured against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Seventh Inning Sadness

Winkler stayed in the game to start the seventh inning and quickly retired Stephen Piscotty and Moss on weak ground balls. He went to a 2-1 count of Grichuk and one the fourth pitch of the at bat threw the pitch to the screen and screamed in pain. The stadium went silent as Winkler tried to walk off the field clutching his elbow. Everyone feared a recurrence of the UCL tear he suffered in 2014 but in the end were told he had broken his elbow.

Jim Johnson came in to finish the inning.

The Braves went quietly in the seventh and Johnson returned for the eighth. After Wong and Garcia made the first two outs of infield grounders Matt Holiday hit a pinch hit single. Johnson hit the next batter – Carpenter- on the elbow then gave up singles to Piscotty and Hazelbaker allowing the Cardinals to take the lead 7-6.

The Braves challenged again in the bottom of the eighth when Beckham walked with one out and Aybar followed that with a single sending him to third. Markakis was called out on strikes on a pitch well off the plate outside as Aybar stole second. Freeman was walked intentionally to load the bases but the Cardinals brought in closer Trevor Rosenthal who struck out pinch hitter Jeff Francoeur.

Next: The Ninth

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