On a night when manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan re-installed veteran right-hander Jason Isringhausen as their closer, they didn't need him. Right-hander Braden Looper, who had been winless in five straight starts, didn't walk anybody in a strong seven-inning performance and rookie left fielder Joe Mather had the first three-hit game of his career, including a two-run homer to start the scoring in the second inning.
The Cardinals jumped Atlanta right-hander Charlie Morton for eight runs in the first four innings, and La Russa said, "Looper did a good job of not letting them back in the game. He didn't change his approach once he got the runs." First baseman Albert Pujols continued on his hitting jag. Pujols drove in three more runs, giving him seven over the last three games.
The win was just the second for the Cardinals in their last eight games.
"I think it could spark us," said Mather. "Maybe it can get us on a winning streak and take the pressure off losing all those games in the last week."
CARDINALS 12, BRAVES 3: Every Cardinals starter but RHP Braden Looper and 3B Troy Glaus hit safely as the Cardinals piled up 13 hits, including five for extra bases. LF Joe Mather hit his third homer, besides a double and a single, all coming in his first three at-bats.
