Erick Fedde gives up three runs, earns third win

Díaz got the party started in the second inning with a 414-foot (102.3-mph EV) solo shot off of Framber Valdez in the second inning that started a three-run rally. He also singled and scored on an RBI knock by Nicky Lopez during the Rangers’ three-run seventh inning. The 35-year-old backstop has impressed in his limited action this season, slashing .300/.315/.557 with four homers and 16 RBI in 73 plate appearances.

Smith entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning and ambushed a first-pitch fastball from Beau Brieske for a 406-foot (104.1-mph EV) solo shot that increased the Rangers’ lead to 6-3. He also added an RBI single in the seventh that made it a 9-3 ballgame. This was a nice highlight in what has otherwise been a forgettable season for Smith. The versatile 28-year-old is slashing an anemic .238/.331/.295 with just one home run, eight RBI and two stolen bases in 121 plate appearances.

Carter entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning where he reached on an infield single and came around to score on an RBI knock by Alejandro Osuna. He then crushed a 422-foot (104.4-mph EV) solo shot off of Kyle Finnegan in the eighth inning that increased the Rangers’ lead to 10-4. With his two-hit attack, the 23-year-old outfielder is now slashing .186/.295/.338 with seven homers, 22 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 241 plate appearances on the year.

Eovaldi racked up nine strikeouts on the night while allowing just one walk. He carried a no-hit bid into the fifth inning, then fell apart a bit as he allowed a solo homer to Colt Keith and a two-run blast to Hao-Yu Lee. The 36-year-old hurler generated 18 swings and misses on 85 pitches in the game, posting an elite CSW of 38 percent. Now 9-7, he’ll bring a 4.02 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 110/24 K/BB ratio (105 1/3 innings) into Thursday’s showdown against the Angels.

Lee did his damage off of Rangers’ right-hander Nathan Eovaldi in the fifth inning, belting a first-pitch splitter for a 383-foot (98.9-mph EV) two-run shot to left center that pulled the Tigers to within two runs at 5-3. That would be as close as they would get. Lee struck out in each of his other three plate appearances in the ballgame — including with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning. For the season, the rookie infielder is hitting .255/.292/.401 with four homers, 15 RBI and a 40/7 K/BB ratio in 145 plate appearances.

Valdez also issued a pair of walks in the ballgame while recording only one strikeout. The Rangers got to him early in this one, as Elias Diaz crushed a solo homer as part of a three-run second inning. They then scratched out another pair of runs in the fourth. Valdez got just three swings and misses on 87 pitches on the night, posting a miserable CSW of only 17 percent. He’ll look to finish the first half on a higher note as he carries a 4.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 78/36 K/BB ratio (100 2/3 innings) into Thursday’s showdown against the Athletics.

Walker opened the scoring in the contest with a 396-foot (104.4-mph EV) three-run blast off of Hurston Waldrep in the top half of the first. That would be it for the Cardinals’ offense until a seven-run rally in the seventh where Walker contributed an RBI single and scored on a fielder’s choice. He has had an extremely impressive first half of the season, slashing .291/.346/.519 with 19 homers, 63 RBI and 11 stolen bases.

Church did his damage as part of a seven-run seventh inning, with his 392-foot (97.5-mph EV) two-run shot off of Tyler Kinley pulling the Cardinals even at five runs apiece. That would be his only hit on the night, but it played a critical role in the comeback victory. For the season, the 25-year-old outfielder is hitting .254/.295/.410 with seven homers, 25 RBI and five stolen bases.

Burleson reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a double by Lars Nootbaar during the Cardinals’ seven-run uprising in the seventh inning. He then put the cherry on top of the comeback victory with a 395-foot (107.4-mph EV) solo blast off of James Karinchak to lead off the ninth inning. With his 1-for-5 night, the 27-year-old is now slashing .274/.341/.474 with 14 long balls and 58 RBI on the season.

Smith strolled to the dish with the bases juiced and a run already in and lined a ball off of the ankle of Cardinals’ starter Dustin May and into right field, turning into a three-run double that gave the Braves a 5-3 advantage. That would be all of their offense in the ballgame though and Smith’s only hit in four at-bats. His bat has cooled a bit following his hot start to the season, though he’s still hitting a respectable .278/.320/.417 with six homers and 35 RBI in 207 plate appearances.