ST. LOUIS — Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said he had been looking forward to playing the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves this weekend here to see how his team stacked up against one of the clubs the Cardinals could be playing in October.
Friday's one-sided loss didn't offer much encouragement but, with the help of some wildness from Braves closer Kenley Jansen, the Cardinals rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to overcome the Braves, 6-5, Saturday night at Busch Stadium before a sellout crowd of 46,119.
Atlanta had beaten the Cardinals four times in five meetings this season.
There was some "Dad Strength" at work. Nolan Arenado brought it with him in his first game back after spending a day on the paternity list for the birth of his and wife Laura’s first child.
Arenado smacked four hits, including a two-run homer. And new father Ryan Helsley, pitching for the first time in 11 days, struck out two in a scoreless ninth and gained the victory.
Brendan Donovan doubled with one out in the home ninth against Braves closer Kenley Jansen and went to third on a wild pitch. Then, an off-form Jansen walked Paul Goldschmidt and hit Arenado to load the bases.
Corey Dickerson beat out an infield dribbler to score Donovan with the tying run and Tyler O'Neill drew a five-pitch walk for the winning run.
Cardinals starter Jordan Montgomery, who had given up just one run in 25 2/3 innings since the Cardinals acquired him from the New York Yankees, was touched for four runs in the fourth inning and had a no-decision.
