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(AP) -- Joe Kelly allowed three hits and one run in four solid innings Thursday to strengthen his claim on the fifth spot in the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation in a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Matt Adams broke a 4-all tie with a two-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Kelly has had an impressive spring training. He has allowed just five hits and two earned runs in eight innings over three starts.

Shelby Miller, his main competition for the last rotation spot, allowed six hits and three earned runs in 2 2-3  innings.

Mike Minor allowed six hits and four runs in five innings for the Braves. He retired 12 of the first 14 hitters he faced and allowed just one hit prior to the fifth - the Cardinals batted around and scored four runs on five hits off the lefty in his final
inning.

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