Final Score: Atlanta 4, St. Louis 3

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Andruw Jones' two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted Atlanta over St. Louis, 4-3, to give the Braves a three-game sweep in the pouring rain at Turner Field.

Atlanta loaded the bases with one out in the ninth against St. Louis reliever Steve Kline before he was pulled in favor of Cal Eldred. Jones promptly belted Eldred's first pitch into left center field, scoring Rafael Furcal and Gary Sheffield to end the game.

Kline (0-2) suffered the loss, ruining a decent outing by starter Woody Williams, who had his season-opening shutout streak halted in the sixth inning. Williams allowed two runs on 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings, while striking out four and walking one.

Atlanta reliever Ray King (1-0) picked up the win, pitching one scoreless inning of relief. He struck out one and walked one for the Braves, who have won four straight and nine of their last 10 overall.

The Cardinals have lost five in a row.

All was going well for the starters through five innings. Mike Hampton was throwing a no-hitter for Atlanta and Williams still hadn't allowed a run. That all changed in the sixth, however, with each team posting a pair of runs.

Williams actually got the Cardinals' inning started himself, drawing a leadoff walk and moving to second base on Fernando Vina's bunt. Cairo followed with a triple to drive in Williams and then scored on Edgar Renteria's sacrifice fly to right field, giving St. Louis a brief 2-0 lead.

Williams had no problem getting the first out in the bottom of the inning, but found himself in trouble when he surrendered a double to Julio Franco and single to Vinny Castilla. Johnny Estrada then roped a single to right field that scored Franco to pull the Braves within 2-1 and end Williams' shutout streak at 25 innings.

Furcal banged out a base hit two batters later, plating Castilla to tie the game.

The Cardinals came right back and tacked on a run in the seventh, however, when Vina tripled home Eli Marrero to give St. Louis a 3-2 advantage. Marrero then saved a run in the eighth inning when Estrada's single sent Franco trucking for home plate, only to be gunned down on a nice throw by the Cardinal centerfielder.

Game Notes

The game, originally slated for a 7:35 (et) start, was delayed until 8:10 because of heavy rain...Furcal finished with four hits.

04/25 03:39:52 ET