Full Breakdown
Cardinals Secure 2-1 Win Over Braves After Nearly Three-Hour Rain Delay
7/11/2026, 10:39:28 PM
Game Summary
Jimmy Crooks delivered a decisive solo home run in the eighth inning, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium. The game, originally started on Friday night, was halted in the top of the fourth inning by heavy rain that flooded the dugouts and field. Play resumed after a 2-hour, 44-minute (nearly three-hour) delay, and the Cardinals held on for the win.
Pitching Duel and Rain Delay
Cardinals rookie right-hander Kyle Leahy and Braves ace Chris Sale each threw three scoreless innings before the rain interruption. Leahy allowed only one hit—a single to Jim Jarvis—and struck out two batters. Sale recorded five strikeouts and issued one walk in his three innings. The delay forced both starters out of the game; George Soriano replaced Leahy, while Victor Mederos entered for the Braves in relief.
Key Performers
- Jimmy Crooks – Hit his second home run of the season, a 405-foot blast to right-center that broke a 1-1 tie.
- Jordan Walker – Provided the Cardinals’ first run with an RBI single in the sixth inning, driving in JJ Wetherholt after the latter drew a walk.
- Riley O’Brien – Earned his 23rd save, striking out two batters in the ninth, including Matt Olson.
- Matt Olson – Extended his streak to 741 consecutive games, surpassing Dale Murphy’s franchise record.
- Austin Riley – Produced the Braves’ lone run with a fifth-inning RBI single after a Mike Yastrzemski double.
Statistical Highlights
- Final score: Cardinals 2, Braves 1.
- Total rain delay: 2 hours 44 minutes.
- Leahy’s line: 3 IP, 1 H, 2 K.
- Sale’s line: 3 IP, 2 H, 5 K, 1 BB.
- Crooks’ homer traveled 405 feet to the right-center bleachers.
- O’Brien recorded his 23rd save of the season, improving to 23-27 in save opportunities.
- Matt Olson’s consecutive-games streak reached 741, the most in Braves history.
Series Implications
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for St. Louis, moving the club to 49-44 and keeping them ten games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. The victory also gave the Cardinals a 1-0 series lead as they head into the second game, with left-hander Matthew Liberatore slated to start against Braves right-hander Reynaldo López.
Verbatim Quote
"That ball would have been a home run in 26 different ballparks, but Jordan Walker is tall so we win." — Apple TV announcer
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The Cardinals will look to extend their momentum in the series finale, while the Braves aim to rebound after a rain-disrupted loss.
