ATLANTA _The Atlanta Braves were the only National League team Cardinals starter Michael Wacha never had beaten and Wacha played a big part in the Braves going ahead 1-0 in the third.
Ronald Acuna Jr., had much to do with it, too, as he stole second base after singling to left to lead off the inning. Wacha walked Freddie Freeman with one out and froze Josh Donaldson on a third-strike changeup for the second out.
But with the Cardinals’ defense shifted toward right for lefthanded-batting Nick Markakis, Acuna took off for third, Wacha stepped off the rubber and tried to lead third baseman Matt Carpenter, who was scrambling back to the bag.