Laird Triple Gives Cardinals 3-2 Win Over Braves

Gerald Laird hit a triple in the 9th inning, scoring the go-
 ahead run as the Cardinals beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2
 on Saturday afternoon. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Gerald Laird doesn't get too much playing time since gold glove winning catcher Yadier Molina owns the spot behind the plate.

But when Laird has played, he has made the most of it, including Saturday afternoon's performance against the Atlanta Braves.

Laird hit a 9th inning triple that scored Matt Holliday, giving the Cardinals a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Laird is hitting .241 on the season in a back-up role for the Cardinals, but on Saturday he came up huge.

"You like to win by 10 runs, but to come out and win two big games like this, coming back shows a lot," Laird said.

Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook put together his second consecutive quality start, tossing 6 innings, allowing just 5 hits and 3 walks with 2 earned runs while striking out one.

Westbrook left the game behind 2-0 in the contest as the Cardinals could not solve the Braves starter Brandon Beachy but were able to score 2 runs in the eighth inning on a David Freese double. 

Fernando Salas got his second save of the season for the Cardinals, who have moved their record 16-11 on the season.

The Cardinals have won their last 4 games and will face the Braves in the last of a 3 game set on Sunday.

Sources:

• St. Louis Cardinals 3 Atlanta Braves 2 - April 30th box score
• Gerald Laird 2011 stats
• Gerald Laird quote