NL wild card: Braves vs. Cardinals

Sports

NL wild card: Braves vs. Cardinals

Veteran third baseman waves to the crowd as he approaches the plate in the ninth inning of Friday's game.

Jones, who had announced earlier this year that he would retire after the season, had failed to deliver in previous plate appearances in the game ....

.... but had a broken-bat single with two outs in the ninth for the next-to-last hit in a game that will likely be remembered for the actions of some Braves' fans.

A questionable infield-fly ruling that went against the Braves prompted some fans to show their displeasure by throwing debris onto the field.

There was a 19-minute delay in the game as members of the grounds crew cleaned up the debris ....

.... and had some watching in stunned silence during the delay.

Umpires confer as ground crew members clean trash off the field.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez appeals to umpire Sam Holbrook about the ruling.

Cardinals third baseman David Freese looks up into the crowd and players remained in the dugout during the clean up process.

A Braves fan holds her head after being injured by the flying debris.

One fan even tossed his shoe on the field after a controversial infield fly call by umpires in the eight inning.

Braves fan jeer at St. Louis players as they leave the field during the eighth-inning delay.

Andrelton Simmons' pop fly in the eighth inning ....

.... ultimately fell between Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma (38) and left fielder Matt Holliday in the outfield grass. But the infield-fly rule was applied and therefore Simmons was ruled out.

Jason Heyward makes a leaping catch in right field to take a home run away from St. Louis's Yadier Molina in the second inning.

David Ross reacts as he is greeted by teammates after his two-run homer in the second inning.

Ross had reason to celebrate with his teammates as he watches the flight of his home run in the second.

Kris Medlen started for the Braves and allowed five runs (only two earned runs) in 6 1/3 innings. Entering the game, the Braves had won the last 23 games started by Medlen, a major-league record.

Kris Medlen reacts in the fourth inning of the National League wild card game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kyle Lohse started for the Cardinals, allowing two earned runs (both coming on David Ross' home run) in 5 2/3 innings.

Cardinals first baseman Allen Craig barehands the ball for the force out Martin Prado in first inning with umpire Mike Winters in the background.

Chipper Jones turns to avoid an inside pitch from Lohse during his first at-bat of the game.

David Ross waits for ruling, but is not credited with scoring from first base in the fourth inning.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez argues with home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg on the call when Ross crossed the plate on Andrelton Simmons' bunt ground out.

It was ruled that Simmons caused interference and was out on the play, thus nullifying the run and sending Gonzalez back to the dugout disgusted.

1/25

Veteran third baseman waves to the crowd as he approaches the plate in the ninth inning of Friday's game.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Jesse Jackson

PHOTOS: Civil rights icon Jesse Jackson found stage and home in Atlanta

Spring training Day 5 (Saturday)

PHOTOS: Day 5 of spring training for the Braves

Valentines for Veterans

Metro Atlanta students write valentines to veterans

GHSA Championship, Dance, Akins Ford Arena, Athens

PHOTOS: Georgia teams dance way to state championships

More Galleries

Spring Training Day 1

PHOTOS: Braves arrive for spring training

Kennesaw State University new baseball facility

PHOTOS: A look at Kennesaw State baseball's new home

aajc 011926 hawks-mlkgame

PHOTOS: Hawks and Bucks in action on MLK Day

atlanta hawks, boston celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks fall at home to Celtics