Die Macht » Cardinals lost a challenge in the eighth

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The previous time the 49ers squared off with Tom Brady and the Patriots, they considered themselves equals among the NFLs elite.They traveled to Foxborough, Mass., and on a cold, rainy December night in 2012 and escaped with a 41-34 victory.They played in the Super Bowl seven weeks later and lost to the Ravens, who beat the Patriots in the AFC championship game.It was a great feeling to go up there, get that victory, especially against a team like that, Colin Kaepernick said, whos one of seven 49ers that remain from that team.Kaepernick was in his second season and took over as the starting quarterback for Alex Smith at the halfway point of the regular season. He helped San Francisco beat Brady by throwing for 221 yards and four touchdowns.It was huge and it was another confidence-builder for our team, for myself at that point in time, that we were playing one of the best teams in the league and went there on the road, Kaepernick said. I think we have a similar opportunity this week to play a very good Patriots team and go out and get a victory.The teams are no longer considered equals ahead of the Patriots visit Sunday.San Francisco (1-8) has the NFLs second-worst record, while the Patriots are clicking at 7-2 despite missing Brady for the first four games while he was suspended because of the Deflategate controversy.Its a huge mismatch between a team that could be picking first in the next NFL draft and a favorite to play in the Super Bowl. The 49ers have fallen on hard times, while New England remains one of the leagues most successful teams.Its an opportunity first-year 49ers coach Chip Kelly is relishing. An unlikely victory against the Patriots would snap an eight-game losing streak and become the highlight of an otherwise lost season.Kelly has a relationship with New England coach Bill Belichick dating back to when he was an offensive coordinator at nearby University of New Hampshire from 1999 to 2006.Kelly used to visit and observe Belichicks practices. The two would share ideas about improving their operations and practices. Kelly has been at the forefront of integrating sports science into football.Just when you get a chance to watch arguably one of the best coaches in the history of the game coach on a daily basis, Kelly said of his meetings with Belichick, how organized he is, how is detailed he is, how in tune he is to putting his players in position to make plays and just really how gracious and nice he is.Belichick said Kelly helped generate ideas that hes incorporated into his teams routine.I think Chips got a lot of great ideas, Belichick said. I think his overall organization as an offensive system, practice schedule, training. ... We talked about a lot of those things and Ive learned a lot from him.Kelly also has a win over Belichick. Last season his Eagles pulled out a 35-28 victory in Foxborough, despite coming in as significant underdogs.Kellys team benefited from three non-offensive touchdowns, scoring on a blocked punt, 99-yard interception return and 83-yard punt return from Darren Sproles.Game notes Belichick said he had tremendous respect for former 49ers Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. in his conference call Wednesday. (I) couldnt really put it into words, Belichick said. DeBartolo will be honored at halftime Sunday after getting enshrined to the Hall of Fame last summer. ... 49ers WR Torrey Smith missed a second straight practice Wednesday with a back injury.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Custom Blue Jackets Jersey . 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LOUIS -- Expectations were mild for the 14th starting pitcher used by the Atlanta Braves this season.Roberto Hernandez did enough in his season debut for a team reaching deep into the barrel, and four homers made it look like a rout in the end.He knew it wasnt going to overwhelm him because hes been there before, interim manager Brian Snitker said after a 13-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night. He competed and battled, its just exactly what we needed.The 35-year-old Hernandez (1-0), who previously pitched under the name Fausto Carmona, allowed three runs in five-plus innings in his first start since July 19, 2015 with the Astros.Hernandez was starter No. 14 for the Braves, tied with the Reds for most in the majors and one off the franchise record in 1975.Thank goodness I had this opportunity to pitch in the big leagues again, Hernandez said through a translator. It was a wonderful experience.Freddie Freeman and Adonis Garcia had three-run home runs to give the Braves a 7-2 cushion in the fifth.Carlos Martinez (10-7) surrendered a season-worst seven runs, and his six earned runs matched his season worst. He entered with a 2.99 ERA and had won six of his previous seven decisions.I felt just negative, a little bit of a negative mentality, Martinez said through an interpreter. But I have faith Im going to be able to get back right into it.Ender Inciarte and Matt Kemp each had two-run homers during a six-run ninth that featured a single and two-run double from pinch-hitter Chase dArnaud.I got two knocks in an inning, it was really cool, dArnaud said.Inciarte had three hits to extend his hitting streak to 17 games, and Kemps 24th of the season off Jonathan Broxton was his first since a trade from San Diego.Atlanta beat the Cardinals for the first time in five meetings this season. Atlanta is last in the majors with a 40-70 record and 70 homers but has won seven of its last 11.ddddddddddddKolten Wong had a pinch-hit homer for St. Louis but grounded out with the bases loaded to end the sixth against Ian Krol.Freeman reached safely all five trips, adding two singles and two walks. Hed been batting just .205 with runners in scoring position before his 19th homer put Atlanta up 4-1 in the third.KEY REPLAYSAtlanta took the lead in the first after challenging a neighborhood play at second base. The Cardinals lost a challenge in the eighth on Tommy Phams run-scoring groundout.You have super slow-mo HD and its still hard to tell, St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: C Yadier Molina (bruised finger) was taken out after taking a foul tip that made it tough to grip a bat or throw. Matt Adams pinch hit for him in the eighth and got an RBI double. Leadoff man Matt Carpenter was removed in a double switch in the sixth after coaches detected him holding back on a swing. Both players checked out with no serious injuries. ... LHP Tyler Lyons (right knee) will see a specialist early next week for a stress fracture.ROSTER FODDERThe Braves acquired two prospects, LHP Michael Mader and SS Anfernee Seymour, from the Marlins in exchange for LHP Hunter Cervenka. They filled the roster spot by purchasing the contract of Hernandez from Triple-A Gwinnett.UP NEXTBraves: Mike Foltynewicz hasnt made it through the sixth his last three outings, allowing 14 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings.Cardinals: Adam Wainwright has a 1.99 ERA his last six starts and is 8-2 with a 2.95 ERA against Atlanta, which drafted him in the first round in 2000 and traded him to St. Louis in a deal for J.D. Drew in December 2003. ' ' '