Murphy’s homer, Schwellenbach’s steady start lead Braves past Cardinals

ATLANTA — Sean Murphy hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Spencer Schwellenbach turned in another solid start as the Atlanta Braves beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Monday night at Truist Park.
Atlanta (9-13) erased a 3-2 deficit with five runs in the eighth. Austin Riley reached on a replay-overturned infield single, then scored the tying run on Matt Olson’s RBI single. After a walk to Ozzie Albies and a sacrifice fly from Michael Harris II, Murphy launched a 388-foot homer to left to give the Braves a 7-3 lead.
That cushion barely held.
Raisel Iglesias gave up three runs in the ninth, including a two-run homer by Willson Contreras. With the tying run at first and two outs, Nolan Arenado tapped a dribbler a few feet in front of the plate. Murphy fielded it and tagged him out to end the game.
Schwellenbach, Atlanta’s most consistent starter this season, allowed three runs (two earned) and struck out five over seven innings. He didn’t walk a batter and kept the game within reach despite an early throwing error and a rough second inning.
The Cardinals (9-14) have now lost five straight. St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol was ejected in the eighth inning after motioning off the homeplate umpire.
Phil Maton (0-1) took the loss, charged with four earned runs while recording just one out. Daysbel Hernández (2-0) earned the win with a scoreless eighth.
Riley also homered in the third, a two-run shot that briefly tied the game 2-2. Harris finished with two hits and an RBI.
The Braves will go with a bullpen game Tuesday after placing Spencer Strider on the injured list. St. Louis will send right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1, 3.22 ERA) to the mound.