Live-Blogging: MLB Baseball-Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals 04/04/2023

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is a Major League Baseball-National League showdown, between The Atlanta Braves and The St. Louis Cardinals.

Despite losing shortstop Dansby Swanson to the Cubs. They are still a loaded team. They are led by Ronald Acuña, Junior and Ozzie Albies.

For the Cardinals, they appear that they have some new left-handed bats in the form of Brendan Donovan & Alec Burleson. Whether one of them will eventually be sandwiched between Goldschmidt & Arenado this year, remains to be seen.


Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of left-handed pitchers. Dylan Dodd will start for the Braves. While The Cardinals will go with Steven Matz.

It is the Atlanta Braves taking on the St. Louis Cardinals, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
Atlanta Braves:
1. Ronald Acuña, Junior (RHB), RF
2. Matt Olson (LHB), 1B
3. Austin Riley (RHB), 3B
4. Travis d’Arnaud (RHB), DH
5. Ozzie Albies (SHB), 2B
6.Michael Harris, II (LHB), CF
7. Sean Murphy (RHB), C
8. Orlando Arcia (RHB), SS
​9. Kevin Pillar (RHB), LF

St. Louis Cardinals:
1. Tommy Edman (SHB), SS
2. Dylan Carlson (SHB), LF
3. Paul Goldschmidt (RHB), 1B
4. Nolan Arenado (RHB), 3B
5. Willson Contreras (RHB), C
6. Tyler O’Neill (RHB), CF
7. Jordan Walker (RHB), RF
8. Juan Yepez (RHB), DH
9. Taylor Motter (RHB), 2B

MLB: Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals 04/04/2023

Braves are in their traveling gray uniforms, navy caps with white 'A' on the hat. While the Cardinals are in their home white uniforms, with red caps and a white 'STL' on the hat.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Acuna
2. Olson
3. Riley
Steven Matz (LHP) now starting as Cardinals Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 6:45 pm CDT.
Acuna hits a lead-off single to right field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
Olson strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
With Riley at-bat, Acuna steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
HOME RUN: Austin Riley hits a 2-run homer off Steven Matz (7 pitches). Acuna scores. ATL 2, STL 0
​d'Arneau singles to left center field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Albies singles to center field (5 pitches). d'Arneau moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Harris reaches on an unassisted fielder's choice by Arneado (1 pitch). d'Arneau is out at 3rd. Albies moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Murphy strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves scored 2 runs, off the homer by Austin Riley.

Middle of 1st Inning;
ATL 2, STL 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Edman
2. Carlson
3. Goldschmidt
Dylan Dodd (LHP) now starting as Braves Pitcher.
​Edman singles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Carlson lines out to Ozuna (6 pitches). 1 out.
DOUBLE PLAY: Goldschmidt grounds into a 4-6-3 double play (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals side is retired.

Middle of 1st Inning:
ATL 2, STL 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Arcia
9. Pillar
1. Acuna, 1-1
Matz currently at 23 pitches.
​HOME RUN: Orlando Arcia hits a solo home run off Steven Matz (2 pitches). ATL 3, STL 0
Pillar singles to left field (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Acuna flies out to Carlson (4 pitches). 1 out.
Olson strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Riley grounds out to Arneado (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves scored another run, off the solo homer by Orlando Arcia.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
ATL 3, STL 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Arneado
5. Contreras
6. O'Neill
Dodd currently at 11 pitches.
​Arneado strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Contreras grounds out to Albies (5 pitches). 2 outs.
O'Neill strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.


End of 2nd Inning:
ATL 3, STL

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
4. d'Arnaud, 1-1
5. Albies, 1-1
6. Harris, 0-0
Matz currently at 46 pitches.
​d'Arnaud hits a lead-off double to the right field corner (1 pitch). Runner on 2nd.
Albies grounds out to Motter (2 pitches). 1 out.
Harris grounds out to Motter (5 pitches). d'Arnaud moves to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 2 outs.
RBI-SINGLE: Murphy hits a RBI-Single to left field (5 pitches). d'Arnaud scores. ATL 4, STL 0
Arcia gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves scored a run, but stranded a base runner.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
ATL 4, STL 0

Bottom of 3rd Inning;
Due Up:
7. Walker
8. Yepez
9. Motter
Dodd currently at 23 pitches.
​Walker grounds out to Arcia (3 pitches). 1 out.
Yepez pops out to Riley (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Motter strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.


End of 3rd Inning:
ATL 4, STL

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Pillar, 1-1
1. Acuna, 1-2
2. Olson, 0-2
Matz currently at 64 pitches.
MLB Scores:
​Pillar grounds out to Matz, unassisted (2 pitches). 1 out.
Acuna reaches on a throwing error by Arneado (4 pitches). Acuna runs over 1st Base and gets tagged out by Goldschmidt. Matz to Goldschmidt on the putout 2 outs.
Olson strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.

Middle of 4th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 0

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Edman, 1-1
2. Carlson, 0-1
3. Goldschmidt, 0-1
Dodd currently at 33 pitches.
Edman fouls out to Olson (5 pitches). 1 out.
Carlson singles to right field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
Goldschmidt hits an infield single off Dodd (5 pitches). Carlson advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #1: Mound Visits Remaining-ATL 4, STL 5
Arneado flies out to Acuna (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Contreras singles to right field (7 pitches). Contreras is out at 2nd on the throw by Acuna. Acuna to Arcia on the putout. Carlson scores.
Cardinals get a run, but stranded a base runner.


End of 4th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Riley, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
4. d'Arnaud, 2-2
5. Albies, 1-2
Matz currently at 76 pitches.
Riley gets called out on strikes (3 pitches). 1 out.
d'Arnaud singles to left field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Albies grounds into a 5-4-3 double play (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves side is retired.

Middle of 5th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
6. O'Neill, 0-1
7. Walker, 0-1
8. Yepez, 0-1
Dodd currently at 53 pitches.
​O'Neill grounds out to Riley (6 pitches). 1 out.
Walker grounds out to Arcia (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Yepez singles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Motter doubles to left field (2 pitches). Yepez advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #2: MVR-ATL 3, STL 5
Edman pops out to Acuna (7 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals stranded a pair of base runners.

End of 5th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Harris, 0-2
7. Murphy, 1-2, RBI
8. Arcia, 1-2, HR, RBI
​Matz currently at 85 pitches.
Harris strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 1 out.
Murphy draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
PITCHING CHANGE: Drew VerHagen (RHP) replaces Steven Matz, as Cardinals Pitcher. ATL 4, STL 1
​Arcia strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Eddie Rosario pinch-hitting for Kevin Pillar.
Rosario hits a 2-out single off Goldschmidt and into foul territory (3 pitches). Murphy advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Acuna strikes out swinging (). 3 outs.
Braves stranded a pair of base runners.

Middle of 6th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Carlson, 1-2
3. Goldschmidt, 1-2
4. Arneado, 0-2
​PITCHING CHANGE: Jesse Chavez (RHP) replaces Dylan Dodd, as Braves Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Eddie Rosario stays in the game, to play left field.
Carlson grounds out to Arcia (6 pitches). 1 out.
Goldschmidt strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Arneado grounds out to Arcia (). 3 outs.
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

End of 6th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Olson, 0-3
3. Riley, 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
4. d'Arnaud, 3-3
VerHagen currently at 12 pitches.
MLB Scores:
Olson grounds out to Motten (4 pitches). 1 out.
Riley pops out to Motten (4 pitches). 2 outs.
d'Arnaud flies out to O'Neill (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.


Middle of 7th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Contreras, 1-2, RBI
6. O'Neill, 0-2
7. Walker, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Joe Jimenez (RHP) replaces Jesse Chavez, as Braves Pitcher.
Contreras flies out to Harris (2 pitches). 1 out.
O'Neill singles to left field (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Walker singles to left field (4 pitches). O'Neill advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #3: MVR-ATL 2, STL 5
Yepez flies out to Rosario (5 pitches). 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Brendan Donovan replaces Taylor Motter.
PITCHING CHANGE: Dylan Lee (LHP) replaces Joe Jimenez, as Braves Pitcher. ATL 4, STL 1
​Donovan singles to right field (2 pitches). O'Neill is out at the Home Plate by Acuna. Acuna to Murphy. 3 outs.
Cardinals stranded a pair of base runners.

End of 7th Inning;
ATL 4, STL 1

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Albies, 1-3
6. Harris, 0-3
7. Murphy, 1-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Andre Pallante (RHP) replaces Drew VerHagen, as Cardinals Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Brendan Donovan stays in the game, to play second base.
Albies grounds out to Donovan (2 pitches). 1 out.
Harris grounds out to Edman (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Murphy strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.


Middle of 8th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Edman, 1-3
2. Carlson, 1-3
3. Goldschmidt, 1-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Kirby Yates (RHP) replaces Dylan Lee, as Braves Pitcher.
​​Edman gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 1 out.
Carlson flies out to Rosario (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Goldschmidt draws a 2-out walk (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
The rain is coming down at Busch Stadium.
Arneado with a 2-out single to center field (2 pitches). Goldscmidt advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Contreras grounds out to Riley (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals stranded a pair of base runners.

End of 8th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Arcia, 1-3
9. Rosario, 1-1
1. Acuna, 2-4
PITCHING CHANGE: Giovanny Gallegos (RHP) replaces Andre Pallante, as Cardinals Pitcher.
Arcia lines out to Carlson (1 pitch). 1 out.
Rosario singles to center field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
With Acuna at-bat, Gallegos attempts a pickoff.
Acuna strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Rain is coming down at Busch Stadium.
Olson strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves stranded a base runner.

Middle of 9th Inning:
ATL 4, STL 1

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
6. O'Neill
7. Walker
8. Yepez
PITCHING CHANGE: A.J. Minter (LHP) replaces Kirby Yates, as Braves Pitcher.
O'Neill grounds out to Riley (3 pitches). 1 out.
Walker calls a batter timeout at 0-2 vs. Minter.
Walker gets called out on strikes (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Yepez fouls out to Olson (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Cardinals go down 1-2-3, to end the Game.


Final:
ATL 4, STL 1
ATL: (4-1)
STL: (2-3)
W: Dodd (1-0)
L: Matz (0-1)
SV: Minter ()
PoG: Dodd (ATL) W, 5 IP, ER, 6 H, 3K, 0 BB
ToG: 2:21

Final Thoughts:
Braves scored 4 runs in the first 3 innings of the game. And that is all Dylan Dodd and the Braves Pitching Staff needed to win the Game.

For the Cardinals, they were not getting runners home. They stranded 7 base runners. And one key play was when Brendan Donovan singled to right field. However, Acuna threw out Tyler O'Neill at Home Plate ending the Bottom of 7th Inning.

Braves will go for the sweep Tomorrow Afternoon. They have yet to announce a starter for Tomorrow. But the Cardinals will start Miles Mikloas, to salvage a game in the series.

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this post.