Cardinals Win Thrilling 10-Inning Game Against Nationals

WASHINGTON — Thomas Saggese hit a crucial double in the 10th inning, helping the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Tuesday night.

The Cardinals scored five runs against the Nationals’ struggling bullpen, which entered the game with a high ERA of 6.34, ranking last in the majors. Jordan Walker and Nathan Church each hit home runs for St. Louis, while James Wood homered for Washington in three straight games, a first in his career.

Saggese’s double in the 10th inning scored Masyn Winn, giving the Cardinals an early lead. Later in the inning, JJ Wetherholt doubled to score Saggese and extend their advantage.

George Soriano pitched two clean innings for St. Louis, while Riley O’Brien earned his third save despite allowing a runner to score via a wild pitch.

Walker tied the game in the seventh with a solo home run. In the eighth, Church hit a tie-breaking shot off Nationals reliever Gus Varland, ending a 27-game drought without an extra-base hit.

The Nationals led briefly in the fifth and sixth innings with homers by Curtis Mead and CJ Abrams, but the Cardinals’ strong bullpen ultimately secured the win.

Nationals starter Cade Cavalli pitched well for four innings, allowing only two runs. Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore gave up four runs in five innings.

Wednesday’s series finale features Washington’s Miles Mikolas facing his former team and St. Louis’ Michael McGreevy starting for them.