Braves 6 - 5 Cardinals
Final
  for this game

Garcia returns to the mound to face Braves

May 18, 2014 - 2:38 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - It's been barely over a year since Jaime Garcia pitched in a major league game. The 27-year-old left-hander returns to the mound Sunday to lead the St. Louis Cardinals against the Atlanta Braves in the finale of a three-game series.

Garcia's last start came May 17, 2013 versus Milwaukee when he suffered a left shoulder strain, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He then had surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff.

This will be a milestone return for Garcia as he makes his 100th career appearance, including his 91st start. He is 2-0 with a 3.65 ERA in four career starts versus Atlanta.

Gavin Floyd takes the hill for the Cubs, who will try to avoid being swept in this weekend set. The righty, who had Tommy John surgery after a shortened 2013 season with the White Sox, made his Braves debut May 6 against the Cardinals and threw seven innings in a no-decision.

Floyd, who fanned eight in 6 1/3 frames of a loss at San Francisco on Monday, is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts versus the Cardinals.

Yesterday, Shelby Miller fired seven strong innings to guide the Cardinals to a 4-1 win. Miller (6-2) extended his career-best winning streak to six games after allowing an unearned run on five hits with seven strikeouts. His overall record at home improved to 13-4.

Allen Craig, Yadier Molina and Peter Bourjos each recorded an RBI while Kolten Wong had two bunt hits and scored two runs for the Cardinals, who have won four straight.

"I think we're seeing aggressive play and that's something that we need to continue," said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny.

Trevor Rosenthal pitched a clean ninth inning to collect his 13th save of the season.

Aaron Harang (4-4) surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on six hits while striking out seven over six innings. He is 0-6 in his last eight appearances against St. Louis and 7-15 in his last 27 starts against them.

Andrelton Simmons was the only bright spot for Atlanta's offense, going 3- for-3 and scoring the lone run for the Braves, who have lost four of their last five.

"The guys are playing hard and that's pretty much all you can control," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Nobody likes to lose, but I haven't seen anybody put their head down. A couple of wins will get us even in a better mood."

St. Louis took two of three from the Braves earlier this season. The Cards have also won 12 of their last 16 at home against Atlanta.






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