Cards Win, Lose Winkler; Cubs Down D'backs

Brandon Moss and Matt Carpenter hit three-run homers and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Braves 12-7 on Sunday to keep Atlanta as the only NL team without a win.

The Braves (0-5) also lost right-hander Dan Winkler, who suffered a fractured right elbow while throwing a pitch in the seventh. He left the mound in obvious pain after throwing behind Randal Grichuk.

Winkler, an Effingham St. Anthony graduate, struck out Cardinals rookie Jeremy Hazelbaker to end the sixth with the bases loaded. An inning later, Winkley held his right arm to his chest as he left the mound in pain. Walking toward the Braves' dugout, he fell to his knees after crossing the first-base line. He was assisted to the dugout.

The Braves say Winkler is out indefinitely. Winkler spent most of the 2015 season on the disabled list after having elbow surgery in July 2014. He made his major league debut late last season and allowed two runs in 1 2/3 innings.

The loss of Winkler adds to Atlanta's early bullpen woes. The team sent right-hadner John Gant to Triple A Gwinnett Sunday and recalled right-hander Chris Withrow.

The Cardinals completed the three-game sweep despite a poor start from Adam Wainwright, who allowed five runs in five innings.

After rallying for a 7-6 lead in the eighth, the Cardinals put the game away with five runs in the ninth to score 12 runs for the second straight day. Aledmys Diaz hit a two-run double off Jose Ramirez in the ninth before Carpenter's three-run homer.

The Braves' last 0-5 start came in 1988 when they lost their first 10 games.

Moss' homer capped the Cardinals' four-run third inning for a 4-1 lead. Drew Stubbs' three-run homer off Wainwright in the bottom of the frame tied the game.

Trailing 6-5, the Cardinals had four straight hitters reach base with two outs in the eighth against Jim Johnson (0-1). Jeremy Hazelbaker's single drove in Matt Holliday, who began the rally with a pinch-hit single. Stephen Piscotty's single to right drove in Carpenter, who was hit by a pitch, to give the Cardinals the lead.

The Braves loaded the bases against Jonathan Broxton in the eighth. Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal struck out pinch-hitter Jeff Francoeur to end the inning. Rosenthal gave up one run in the ninth for his second save as the Cardinals completed their first sweep of three or more games at Turner Field.

Cubs 7, Diamondbacks 3

The Chicago Cubs are finally leaving the West Coast after almost two months of spring training and a half-dozen real games, and they're headed home in high spirits.

Jake Arrieta homered and pitched seven innings, helping the Cubs finish off an impressive first week by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-3 on Sunday.

Chicago, with a two-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels and three wins in four games against Arizona, is tied with Cincinnati for the best record in the NL at 5-1. The Cubs host the Reds in their home opener Monday night at Wrigley Field.

Arrieta (2-0) allowed three runs and eight hits, striking out six. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner gave himself a boost with a two-out, two-run homer in the second inning off Shelby Miller (0-1).

"That ball was crushed. It really was uplifting for us," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Relentless at-bats. There's nobody giving up anything."

Arrieta hit two home runs in 2015 and has three in his career.

"This was a nice changeup for us to get to play in some warm weather and some favorable environments," Arrieta said.

"Obviously we're all excited for opening day at Wrigley Field. It's a special time in Chicago, obviously for the Cubs fans. ... It's kind of what you live for. To start a season off like we have and then going home to play in front of your home crowd is a special feeling."

Arrieta had thrown 32 straight scoreless innings in the regular season, dating to last year, before Arizona scored.

Jorge Soler also homered for the Cubs. Miguel Montero hit two doubles off the center field wall against his former team and Tommy La Stella added three hits for Chicago.

Sunday, April 10 Scoreboard

Toronto 3, Boston 0
    
Cincinnati 2, Pittsburgh 1
    
Philadelphia 5, New York Mets 2
    
Baltimore 5, Tampa Bay 3

St. Louis 12, Atlanta 7

Washington 4, Miami 2

Cleveland at Chicago White Sox, Postponed            
    
Milwaukee 3, Houston 2
    
Kansas City 4, Minnesota 3 (F/10)    
    
Los Angeles Angels 3, Texas 1
    
San Francisco 9, Los Angeles Dodgers 6

Oakland 2, Seattle 1 (F/10)

San Diego Colorado 6, San Diego 3

Chicago Cubs 7, Arizona 3

New York at Detroit, Postponed            

Monday, April 11 Schedule (All Times Central)

Pittsburgh at Detroit, 11:10 a.m.

Baltimore at Boston, 12:05 p.m.

San Diego at Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 2:10 p.m.

Milwaukee at St. Louis, 2:15 p.m.

Miami at New York, 5 p.m.

Atlanta at Washington, 5:05 p.m.

Cincinnati at Chicago, 6:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Houston, 6:10 p.m.

Los Angeles at Oakland, 8:05 p.m.

Texas at Seattle, 8:10 p.m.