Cardinals beat the Nationals 4-2

The Cardinals pull off a much needed win on the road in Washington against the Nationals. The Nationals were shut out for the majority of the game, until they picked up their first run in the 8th inning. Then they made things interesting in the bottom of the 9th, scoring their second run (making it 4-2) and getting two men on base, which brought Ivan Rodriguez to the plate, representing the leading run with two outs. Closer Ryan Franklin managed to pick up the save, as Rodriguez hit a ground ball for the final out.

Starting pitcher Jaime Garcia pitched a good game, picking up his 12th win of the season. He threw 5.1 innings, and gave up 8 hits. But he had 7 SO, and 0 ER. Garcia continues to make a good argument for the Rookie of the Year award. Relief pitcher Kyle McClellan and Franklin made things interesting, they both gave up 2 hits, and they each gave up a run (both earned).

OF Matt Holliday probably had the best night at the plate for the Cards. He was 2-for-4 with a HR (23rd on the season). Albert Pujols managed to hit his 401st HR of his career (35th of the season) in the 1st inning, but it was his only hit of the night. OF Jon Jay was the only other player to get an RBI.

The game got sloppy at the end. But it was nice to see the team pull off a much needed win. It didn't help that C Yadier Molina was held out of the game; as well as Colby Rasmus. And it also didn't help that Pujols was still banged up from his ankle injury from last night. But despite those set-backs, the team pulled off a needed win.

The Cardinals still have two games remaining in Washington for the series. Tomorrow at 6:05 Central, and Sunday at 12:35 PM.