Saturday’s Game Report: Nationals 8, Cardinals 5 (11 innings)
By Rob Rains
After scoring in both the ninth and 10th innings to tie the game against the Nationals, the Cardinals weren’t able to do it again in the 11th.
A four-run 11th put the Nationals up 8-4 going to the bottom of the inning Saturday night at Busch Stadium, which was too great an obstacle for the Cardinals to overcome.
The Cardinals did score once, and had the tying run on base when they loaded the bases with nobody out, but the Nationals got out of the jam to pick up the victory.
Here is how Saturday night’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals trailed 3-0 in the seventh when two Washington errors led to two runs in the inning … In the ninth, they tied the game on an RBI single by Pedro Pages but left the bases loaded when Jordan Walker struck out and Leo Bernal grounded out … A single by Masyn Winn drove in the tying run in the 10th … In the 11th, JJ Wetherholt’s single drove in the automatic runner, and a single by Alec Burleson and walk to Jose Fermin loaded the bases but Ivan Herrera and Walker struck out and Bernal flew out to end the game … Fermin and Herrera each had a three-hit night … Walker was 0-of-6 in the game but was robbed of a two-run home run by Dylan Crews in the third inning.
On the mound: Michael McGreevy gave up a single and home run to the first two Washington batters in the game … Justin Bruihl was charged with the third run in the sixth … Riley O’Brien allowed the automatic runner to score in the 10th on a two-out single … The damage in the 11th came against Gordon Graceffo, who had not allowed a run in September. Only two of the four runs were earned, following a catcher’s interference call against Bernal.
Key stat: Walker drove in his 100th run of the season on Sept. 4 but has gone 13 games, and 44 at-bats, since then without driving in a run. He is 5-of-44 in those games.
Worth noting: After he was designated for assignment, Ramon Urias cleared waivers and was released by the Cardinals on Saturday.
Up next: The Cardinals will play their final home game of the season on Sunday. Quinn Mathews is the scheduled starter.
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