Jul 20, 2007, 2:20 GMT
Atlanta, GA - Andruw Jones' two-run home run in the first inning ignited an offensive onslaught for Atlanta, as the Braves routed the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-1, in the opener of a four-game set.
The embarrassing loss hurt even more for St. Louis with the in-game announcement that ace Chris Carpenter will undergo Tommy John surgery on his injured right elbow and miss the rest of the season.
Carpenter, who has been on the disabled list for most of the season after pitching on Opening Night, developed swelling and stiffness after his most recent rehabilitation start on July 8.
Cardinals' team physician Dr. George Paletta evaluated Carpenter and recommended surgery. Second opinions by the team physicians of the Angels and Mets, along with the renowned Dr. James Andrews, confirmed Paletta's evaluation. Carpenter will undergo surgery early next week and is not expected to return until some time in 2008.
Jones finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored, while Matt Diaz went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI for the Braves, who rebounded from a sweep to the Cincinnati Reds.
Ageless wonder Julio Franco, signed by the Braves Wednesday after the Mets released him, started at first base for Atlanta. The 48-year-old ripped a two- run single in the fourth to cap a five-run inning.
All of the run support was more than enough for Tim Hudson (10-5), who hurled seven solid innings. The right-hander gave up just one run on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
'Hudson has been pretty nasty after the All-Star break,' said Jones. 'He got his rest and his balls are moving really good.'
Cardinals starter Mike Maroth (0-3), on the other hand, was tagged for all 10 Atlanta runs on 11 hits over five innings. Maroth, acquired from Detroit in June, has given up 18 runs -- 16 earned -- over his last two starts (10 innings).
'I'm missing on my pitches,' said Maroth. 'Anytime you're going through tough times and struggles, you're going to have a lot of questions.'
David Eckstein knocked in the lone run for St. Louis, which had won three of four.
Carpenter's impending surgery darkened the return of Gold Glove outfielder Jim Edmonds, who singled in three plate appearances.
The game surprisingly started well for the Cardinals as Maroth retired the first two Atlanta batters of the game. However, Maroth walked Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones crushed the first pitch he saw over the left field wall to make it 2-0.
Diaz then led off the second with a mammoth shot to deep center field and Jeff Francoeur and Diaz hit back-to-back RBI singles in the third to make it 5-0.
The Braves then put up a five spot in the fourth inning with two outs and nobody on to blow the game open. Four straight singles by Edgar Renteria, Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and Francoeur made it 7-0. Diaz's subsequent double chased home a run and Franco's two-run single pushed Atlanta's lead to 10-0.
'We got down early and it just kept getting worst,' added Maroth. 'We just couldn't get that third out.'
St. Louis broke up the shutout in the sixth inning on Eckstein's sacrifice fly.
Game Notes
The Cardinals also announced that third baseman Scott Rolen traveled back to St. Louis Wednesday to receive a cortisone shot and check-up on his ailing left shoulder. He is expected to join the team in Atlanta...The Braves optioned pitcher Kyle Davies to Triple-A Richmond before the game to make room for Franco. Atlanta also announced that pitcher Anthony Lerew underwent Tommy John surgery in Birmingham, Alabama.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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