Freeman, Garcia shots boost Braves past Cardinals

ST. LOUIS -- Freddie Freeman and Adonis Garcia had three-run home runs and the Atlanta Braves got enough from Roberto Hernandez in his first start this season for a 13-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old Hernandez (1-0), who previously pitched under the name Fausto Carmona, was the 14th starting pitcher used by the Braves this season, one off the franchise record in 1975. He allowed three runs in five-plus innings in his first start since July 19, 2015 with the Astros.

Carlos Martinez (10-7) surrendered a season-worst seven runs, and his six earned runs matched his season worst. He entered with a 2.99 ERA and had won six of his previous seven decisions.

Ender Inciarte and Matt Kemp each had two-run homers during a six-run ninth. Inciarte had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, and Kemp's 24th of the season off Jonathan Broxton was his first since a trade from San Diego.

Atlanta beat the Cardinals for the first time in five meetings this season. Atlanta is last in the majors with a 40-70 record and 70 homers but has won seven of its last 11.

Kolten Wong had a pinch-hit homer for St. Louis but grounded out with the bases loaded to end the sixth against Ian Krol.

Freeman reached safely all five trips, adding two singles and two walks. He'd been batting just .205 with runners in scoring position before his 19th homer put Atlanta up 4-1, and Garcia's ninth of the season made it a 7-2 cushion in the fifth.

Key replays

Atlanta took the lead in the first after challenging a neighborhood play at second base. The Cardinals lost a challenge in the eighth on Tommy Pham's run-scoring groundout.

Trainer's room

Cardinals: C Yadier Molina left with a right hand contusion, although it was unclear how he was hurt. Matt Adams pinch hit for him in the eighth and got an RBI double. ... LHP Tyler Lyons (right knee) will see a specialist early next week for a stress fracture.

Up next

Braves: Mike Foltynewicz hasn't made it through the sixth his last three outings, allowing 14 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings.

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright has a 1.99 ERA his last six starts and is 8-2 with a 2.95 ERA against Atlanta, which drafted him in the first round in 2000 and traded him to St. Louis in a deal for J.D. Drew in December 2003.

Roster fodder

The Braves acquired two prospects, LHP Michael Mader and SS Anfernee Seymour, from the Marlins in exchange for LHP Hunter Cervenka. They filled the roster spot by purchasing the contract of Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett.