Jarred Kelenic continued his impressive run as the Atlanta Braves’ leadoff hitter, driving in three runs and blasting his eighth home run of the season to lead the team to a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the doubleheader opener.
Kelenic’s two-run homer in the sixth inning was the highlight of his three-hit performance, which marked his 14th hit in 43 at-bats since moving to the top spot in the batting order.
Kelenic’s success can be attributed to his disciplined approach at the plate, as he focuses on hitting pitches over the inside of the plate and staying inside the ball. This strategy has paid off, with Kelenic batting .326 with four homers and nine RBI since becoming the leadoff hitter.
Braves manager Brian Snitker praised Kelenic’s confidence and ability to come through in big moments. Reynaldo Lopez impressed on the mound, pitching five innings and allowing just two runs and four hits to earn his fourth win in five starts. The Braves’ bullpen was equally impressive, with four pitchers combining for four hitless innings.
The win marked the Braves’ ninth in 12 games, and they matched their season high of 11 games over .500. The Cardinals, who had won four straight, saw their winning streak come to an end. Kyle Gibson struggled on the mound for St. Louis, allowing four runs and four hits in four innings, including five walks.