ATLANTA -- The Braves have squandered a lead in the seventh inning or later during each of this season's first three games. Defensive miscues proved detrimental during the first two contests. But Friday's 7-4 loss to the Cardinals had more to do with bullpen woes, or maybe more appropriately, bullpen decisions.
Starter Matt Wisler rebounded from the bad luck he encountered during the Cardinals' three-run fourth inning and held a one-run lead when he opened the seventh by retiring an eighth consecutive batter. The 23-year-old right-hander had found a groove and had thrown just 87 pitches.