Church and Velázquez homer as Cardinals top Braves 5-3
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 1, 2026, 2:23 AM
Last updated Jul 1, 2026
Nathan Church hit a three-run homer and Nelson Velázquez added a solo shot in the St. Louis Cardinals' 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on July 1. Velázquez's homer ignited a four-run fourth inning that saw the Cardinals take a commanding lead. Matthew Liberatore pitched five innings, striking out nine and allowing only one run. Ozzie Albies contributed two RBIs for the Braves, who left 10 runners on base and have struggled recently, losing 13 of their last 17 games. The Braves remain 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the division race. The second game of the series will see the Braves' Reynaldo López facing the Cardinals' Michael McGreevy.
- •Cardinals score four runs in the fourth inning.
- •Liberatore records nine strikeouts in five innings pitched.
- •Braves left 10 runners on base during the game.
- •Albies drives in two runs for Atlanta.
- •Next game features López vs. McGreevy.
- 2:23 AMYahoo Sports — Church and Velázquez homer, helping Cardinals beat free-falling Braves 5-3
- 2:23 AMYahoo Sports — Cardinals Break Out of Homer Drought with Two Blasts in Beating of Braves
"Nathan Church hit a three-run homer, Nelson Velázquez added a solo shot and Matthew Liberatore threw five strong innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Tuesday night. Velázquez started a four-run fourth inning with his third homer of the year — a 444-foot shot to center field that tied the game at 1. Church followed later in the inning with his sixth homer of the season, a three-run shot, to increase the lead to 4-1.
"Nelson Velazquez hit a 444-foot solo smash and Nathan Church ripped a three-run homer to support bounce-back starter Matthew Liberatore in the Cardinals' 5-3 defeat of the Braves on Tuesday in Atlanta.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 2:23 AMChurch and Velázquez homer, helping Cardinals beat free-falling Braves 5-3
Nathan Church hit a three-run homer, Nelson Velázquez added a solo shot and Matthew Liberatore threw five strong innings as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves 5-3 on Tuesday night. Velázquez started a four-run fourth inning with his third homer of the year — a 444-foot shot to center field that tied the game at 1. Church followed later in the inning with his sixth homer of the season, a three-run shot, to increase the lead to 4-1.
- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 2:23 AMCardinals Break Out of Homer Drought with Two Blasts in Beating of Braves
Nelson Velazquez hit a 444-foot solo smash and Nathan Church ripped a three-run homer to support bounce-back starter Matthew Liberatore in the Cardinals' 5-3 defeat of the Braves on Tuesday in Atlanta.
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