What happened: Dustin May labored through four innings for St. Louis, walking four and throwing a wild pitch that let Atlanta tie the game 1-1 in the second. Alec Burleson's RBI double had staked the Cardinals to an early lead, and Jose Fermin's two-out single in the sixth tied it again at 3-3 after St. Louis had trailed 3-1. Ozzie Albies doubled in the ninth to key Atlanta's go-ahead rally, and the Braves held on to win 4-3.
Why it matters: The result trims St. Louis' series lead over Atlanta to 3-2 and drops the Cardinals to 44-41 on the season against a Braves club now 49-37. It also adds to the workload questions facing May, who was pulled after four innings amid Chaim Bloom's roster evaluations ahead of the trade deadline.
By the numbers: May finished with 4 IP, 4 BB, 4 K, 2 H and 2 ER before Atlanta's bullpen chased him. Gordon Graceffo needed just five pitches to retire the side in the seventh, and catcher Jimmy Crooks was behind the plate for both the second-inning wild pitch and the ninth-inning rally that decided it.
What to watch: St. Louis and Atlanta wrap the series next, with the trade deadline looming over the Cardinals' roster decisions.