Atlanta Braves sweep St. Louis Cardinals to end season on positive note

ATLANTA — Rookie right-hander Matt Wisler pitched 8 2/3 shutout innings Sunday as the Atlanta Braves blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 in the second game of a doubleheader, sweeping the twin bill and the three-game series at Turner Field.

The National League Central champion Cardinals did not score a run in the three games at Turner Field and were swept by the Braves for the first time since July 2013.

Wisler (8-8) scattered four hits and two of those were erased in double plays. He struck out three and walked one. Wisler, acquired from San Diego the day before the regular season started, finished the season with three consecutive victories. It was his second victory over the Cardinals.

St. Louis threatened in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Brandon Moss doubled with one out went to third on an infield grounder and right fielder Tommy Pham walked. The Braves replaced Wisler with Edwin Jackson, who struck out left fielder Randal Grichuk to end the game. Jackson earned his first save.

St. Louis starter Lance Lynn (12-11) pitched five innings and allowed the leadoff hitter to reach in each frame, but permitted only one run to score. Lynn allowed five hits, didn’t walk anyone, and struck out two.

The Braves scored a run in the first inning. Center fielder Michael Bourn singled, advanced to third on consecutive groundball outs and scored when left fielder Adonis Garcia singled.

Atlanta had threats in the next four innings. First baseman Pedro Ciriaco led off to start the second, but was picked off by Lynn. Wisler led off the third, but was erased in a double play. The Braves had runners on the corners and failed to score in the fourth inning and had catcher Ryan Lavarnway on third base with one out in the fifth before coming up short.

Atlanta tacked on a run in the seventh inning against St. Louis reliever Steve Cishek. Right fielder Todd Cunningham and catcher Ryan Lavarnway opened the inning with hits. Cunningham scored on Bourn’s looping single to left.

The Cardinals rested all their regulars save left fielder Randal Grichuk.

The Braves won the first 6-0, as pitcher Shelby Miller pitched eight scoreless innings and broke a 16-game losing streak. Garcia homered twice in support.