St. Louis, MO -- (Sports Network) - John Smoltz tossed eight solid innings as the Atlanta Braves downed the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-2, in the opener of a three- game set.

Smoltz (12-6) gave up just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and no walks for the Braves, who ended a three-game skid and moved into a tie with Philadelphia for second place in the NL East. Both teams are six games back of the New York Mets for the division lead.

Chipper Jones and Brian McCann each knocked in a pair of runs for Atlanta.

Chris Duncan hit a two-run double in the third inning for the Cardinals, who have lost two in a row after a three-game winning streak.

St. Louis starter Kip Wells (6-14) was tagged for eight hits and seven runs -- five earned -- in four innings of work.

After McCann and Duncan traded two-run doubles in the third inning, Atlanta batted around in the fourth inning and put up five runs to take control.

With one out and runners on first and second, Kelly Johnson reached base on a David Eckstein error and Yunel Escobar came around to score. Jones' subsequent double chased two runs home and Mark Teixeira followed with an RBI single.

Andruw Jones' two-out RBI double capped the inning and handed the Braves a five-run advantage.

Game Notes

The game was delayed one hour and 19 minutes due to rain....Earlier on Friday, the Braves designated veteran closer Bob Wickman for assignment...The Cardinals activated pitcher Todd Wellemeyer from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for him on the roster, St. Louis optioned struggling right-hander Brad Thompson to Triple-A Memphis.