Cardinals Get 3 Pinch-Hit Homers to Beat Atlanta

ATLANTA (AP) – Rookie Aledmys Diaz got his first career homer to break a tie as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning, helping the St. Louis Cardinals rally from a four-run deficit to beat the Atlanta Braves 7-4 Friday night.

The Cardinals hit four homers, including three by pinch-hitters, while getting their first win.

Rookie Jeremy Hazelbaker got a pinch-hit homer off Matt Wisler in the seventh to tie the game at 4. Greg Garcia had another pinch-hit homer in the ninth before Stephen Piscotty’s first homer added to the lead.

St. Louis, swept in its opening three-game series at Pittsburgh, avoided its first 0-4 start since 1997.

Kevin Siegrist (1-0) threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings before Trevor Rosenthal pitched a perfect ninth for the save.

The homer by Diaz into the left field seats came on the second pitch from left-hander Eric O’Flaherty (0-2).

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