The St Louis Cardinals struck first in both contests against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, but ended up splitting the doubleheader at Truist Park.

Game One saw the Redbirds pick up runs in the sixth and seventh, including a Nolan Arenado home run. However, Eddie Rosario’s two-run shot to right field tied the game, forcing an extra frame. The Cardinals couldn’t make sure of their courtesy runner, while the Braves’ Ozzie Albies brought in theirs with a sacrifice fly to win Game One 3-2. Chris Roycroft took the loss, despite Kyle Gibson’s quality start with one earned run on three hits, two walks, and six strikeouts.

The Cardinals fared better in the evening game, scoring four runs in the second en route to a 9-5 win. The game was tied 1-1 after the first inning, when Alec Burleson’s sacrifice fly was countered by an Ozzie Albies single. Nolan Gorman’s two-run home run put the Cardinals up for good, followed by singles from Burleson and Willson Contreras. Atlanta stayed close with three one-run home runs in the sixth, including Marcell Ozuna’s second of the game. The Cardinals added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth.

Sonny Gray gave up all five runs but completed seven innings of work to earn his tenth win of the season. He allowed eight hits but struck out ten. Kyle Leahy completed the game for his first save of the season.

The 51-47 Cardinals remain a half-game ahead of Arizona and the New York Mets for the second wild card spot, while trailing Milwaukee in the NL Central by five games. The series at Atlanta concludes Sunday afternoon at 12:35.