National’s pitcher Joe Ross set the tone in this game. Ross pitched lights out for 6 innings on Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis. The great pitching plus a great offensive performance led to a 6-0 win for the Nationals.
Ross allowed just 4 hits, struck out 5, and walked just 1 in his 6 innings of work. The pitcher also contributed on the offensive end, hitting a single and scoring a run. Ross improved to 1-0 on the season and 3-0 against the Cardinals in his career.
“Ross was pinpoint. Pretty much every pitch he threw was a strike,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. “He made high-quality big-league pitches. You tip your hat. That was the story today.”
Washington’s hot pitching did not stop with Joe Ross. Four pitches came out of the bullpen and did not allow St. Louis to get anything going and held them scoreless the rest of the way.
National’s Offense
Ryan Zimmerman hit his first home run of the season, a 2-run blast, in the 3rd inning, and Washington never looked back. The home run was Zimmerman’s 271st of his career.
The Nationals added two more runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 4-0. One run scored off a Lane Thomas error. Josh Harrison drove Juan Soto in after his second single of the day. They would add another run in the sixth when Ross scored off a Juan Soto grounder.
Trae Turner drove in their final run of the game in the eighth inning. Turner hit a double off St. Louis’s Giovanny Gallegos to extend the lead to 6-0.
The win gives Washington a 3-6 record. They head back home next, where they will face Arizona in a 3-game series.
St. Louis Struggles
It was a rough day at the ballpark for St. Louis. Adam Wainwright pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 hits and 4 runs, 3 runs were earned. Wainwright also struck out 7 and walked 2. After the tough outing, Wainwright falls to 0-2 on the season with a 7.11 ERA.
The St. Louis bullpen allowed just 2 hits but also allowed Washington to score 2 more runs.
Joe Ross’ hot pitching didn’t allow St. Louis to get anything going on offense. The St. Louis offense recorded just 4 hits in the game.
With the loss St. Louis falls to 6-6 on the year. They will face Philadelphia in their next series.
Molina Makes History
Yadier Molina caught his 2,000th game on Wednesday. Molina is just the 6th catcher in MLB history to catch 2,000 games. He is the first catcher to catch 2,000 games for just 1 franchise.
“It was a neat moment, a great moment for me,” Molina said. “I wish we could have had a different result.”
