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Lowe tries to put legal troubles behind him in finale with Cards

May 1, 2011 - 3:03 PM (Sports Network) - Braves sinkerball pitcher Derek Lowe will try to put his off-the-field problems behind him this afternoon when he aims for a rare win against the St. Louis Cardinals in the conclusion of a three-game series from Turner Field.

The Cardinals haven't swept a series in Atlanta since August 29-31, 1988, but can do so today if they can continue their domination of Lowe. He's 1-7 with a 6.85 ERA in eight career starts against the Cardinals.

Lowe struck out eight in a no-decision at San Diego on Monday, but was in legal hot water later in the week. He was arrested Thursday night on a charge of DUI. Lowe was also charged with reckless driving and making an improper lane change.

Jaime Garcia gets the start today for the Cardinals. The 24-year-old left- hander has yet to lose this season and is coming off allowing six hits and four runs -- three earned -- over 5 1/3 innings of a no-decision at Houston on Tuesday.

Garcia threw seven innings of shutout ball in his only career start against the Braves, getting a win on April 28, 2010. He also posts a career mark of 5-1 with a 1.28 ERA against NL East opponents in eight career starts (10 games).

On Saturday, Gerald Laird's triple in the ninth inning scored the eventual game-winning run, as the Cardinals used another late-game triple to down the Braves, 3-2.

David Freese drove in a pair of runs for the Cards, who got six innings from starting pitcher Jake Westbrook. He allowed two runs on five hits and three walks, but Miguel Batista (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth to get the win, St. Louis' fourth straight.

During Friday's series opener, St. Louis got a Nick Punto two-run triple in the 11th record a 5-3 victory.

Martin Prado drove in the two runs for the Braves, who saw Craig Kimbrel (0-1) pitch one out in the ninth to get the loss.

"I didn't do my job," Kimbrel said. "I'm going to come back tomorrow and get ready to pitch. That's all I can do."

Braves starting hurler Brandon Beachy was solid in the no-decision, going seven-plus innings and allowed two runs on three hits while fanning five.

Matt Holliday led off the ninth with a single to set up the game-winning hit. He then moved to second on a passed ball before rounding to home on Laird's triple.

"I just think we have a bunch of grinders at the bottom of the lineup," Laird said. "We just have a bunch of guys that grind it out. We know what our offense can do."

St. Louis won six of eight meetings with Atlanta a year ago and split four matchups at Turner Field.