Cardinals 6, Braves 2: Joe Kelly allowed two runs in six strong innings and three consecutive run-scoring doubles in the fifth inning sparked host St. Louis in the opener of a four-game series.

Matt Carpenter, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday doubled home runs in the decisive fifth, helping the Cardinals turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 advantage. Kelly (5-3) scattered seven hits while improving to 4-0 in August as St. Louis remained one game behind first-place Pittsburgh in the NL Central and 1 1/2 games ahead of Cincinnati for the NL wild-card lead.

Atlanta starter Paul Maholm (9-10), in his first start since being activated from the disabled list, allowed five runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Justin Upton hit a two-run homer for the Braves, who lead Washington by 14 games in the NL East.

Upton’s 24th homer in the fifth gave the Braves a 2-1 advantage, but the Cardinals broke through with two outs in the bottom of the frame. Carpenter’s double to right-center plated Pete Kozma, Beltran brought home Carpenter with a two-base hit to left, and Holliday followed with a double to left to score Beltran.

David Freese drove in two runs for St. Louis, which has won five of its past six. New Atlanta second baseman Elliot Johnson went 2-for-4.

GAME NOTEBOOK: St. Louis C Yadier Molina did not play, but moved into the NL batting lead (.332) when Atlanta 3B Chris Johnson (.330) went 0-for-3. … Upton returned to the lineup after missing two games with an upper back strain. … The Braves announced RHP Brandon Beachy will miss his scheduled start Sunday, and will visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday after experiencing a drop in velocity during Tuesday’s loss at New York.