Righthander Dustin Hermanson improved to 9-8 on the season, going seven innings without allowing an earned run as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2. Hermanson allowed four hits and walked two while striking out six. The righthander has a 2.06 ERA in his last seven starts. J.D. Drew returned from the disabled list to go 2-4 with a two-run triple. Drew had missed the last 35 games with a broken hand. Mark McGwire went deep in this one, a solo shot in the 4th inning. That was his 18th home run of the season and the 572nd of his career.