Fermín hits first major league homer to break tie in the Cardinals’ victory over the Braves

ST. LOUIS (AP) — José Fermín hit his first major league home run to break a sixth-inning tie in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on a soggy Sunday.

In his 159th career plate appearance, the 26-year-old Fermín smacked a sinker over the left-field fence off Jesse Chavez (0-1) with Masyn Wynn on base to cap the scoring.

Two rain delays totaled 4 hours, 2 minutes. The game lasted 2:38.

The Braves added a run off Gordon Graceffo (3-0) in the seventh. Graceffo threw 1 2/3 innings. Ryan Helsley pitched the ninth for his 19th save.

Matt Olson led the Braves with three RBIs on two hits.

St. Louis Cardinals’ Jose Fermin celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, July 13, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Chavez started the fifth for Atlanta. He gave up two runs with two outs when Willson Contreras dropped a double in shallow right field to tie it at 3.

Reliever Steven Matz surrendered two runs in the fifth. Just before the game was halted for a second time, Olson singled home two runs for a 3-1 advantage.

St. Louis went up 1-0 in the second inning off Atlanta’s Daniel Davis, who was recalled before the game and made his seventh career start and first this season.

The Braves touched St. Louis starter Sonny Gray for a run in the third on three consecutive two-out singles in the third. Nick Allen scored on Olson’s single off the wall in right field.

St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol was ejected in the bottom of the ninth. It was his fourth ejection this season.

St. Louis Cardinals’ Jose Fermin, right, is congratulated by teammate Masyn Winn after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Sunday, July 13, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Key moment

Winn’s hustle led to the St. Louis’ first run. He walked and stole second base. With two outs, Victor Scott II hit a ball that bounced off Davis and caromed into vacant area between first and second. Winn never stopped at third and scampered home to score without a throw.

Key stat

Fermín is hitting .381 in nine games since his June 25 recall from Triple-A Memphis.

Up next

Fans wait out a rain delay during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, July 13, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The Braves return to action Friday when they host the New York Yankees. The Cardinals return to play Friday at Arizona.

__

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Members of the Busch Stadium grounds crew unfurl a tarp over the field at the start of a rain delay during the third inning of a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, July 13, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.