St. Louis, MO – The Washington Nationals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 8-2 on July 9, 2025, at Busch Stadium, snapping a four-game losing streak and giving interim manager Miguel Cairo his first victory. The Nationals vs Cardinals matchup saw Washington’s offense explode with three home runs, led by Nathaniel Lowe’s three-run shot in the first inning.
The game began with a bang as Lowe’s 360-foot homer, his 14th of the season, drove in CJ Abrams and Josh Bell, giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead. Amed Rosario added a solo homer in the fifth, and James Wood crushed a 433-foot, 115.9-mph solo shot in the seventh, his 24th, boosting Washington’s lead to 8-1. Alex Call’s RBI double in the fourth and Jacob Young’s two-run single in the sixth further padded the Nationals’ advantage.
MacKenzie Gore (4-8, 3.02 ERA) anchored the Nationals vs Cardinals effort, pitching six innings, allowing one run on five hits, and striking out seven. The bullpen, including Cade Henry, Josh Rutledge, and Luis García, held the Cardinals to one additional run. St. Louis’ Andre Pallante (5-5, 4.49 ERA) struggled, surrendering seven runs over six innings, including three homers.
The Cardinals’ offense managed two runs, with Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson each driving in one. Winn went 3-for-4, while Lars Nootbaar doubled twice. Despite these efforts, St. Louis left seven runners on base, unable to mount a comeback in the Nationals vs Cardinals clash.
Washington’s record improved to 38-54, while the Cardinals fell to 49-44. The game, attended by 20,956 fans, lasted 2 hours and 27 minutes under clear skies with 87-degree weather. The Nationals vs Cardinals series highlighted Washington’s resilience, with Wood earning All-Star and Home Run Derby nods.
Recent History of Nationals vs Cardinals
The Nationals vs Cardinals rivalry has been competitive, with St. Louis winning 4-2 the previous night, July 8, behind homers from Brendan Donovan and Nootbaar. Washington’s victory on July 9 sets up a decisive rubber match on July 10.
Player Performances
Lowe’s three RBIs and Wood’s power display underscored Washington’s offensive depth. Gore’s efficient 89-pitch outing marked a strong rebound after recent struggles. For the Cardinals, Pallante’s rough start reflected their recent slide, having been outscored 41-11 in six games. The Nationals vs Cardinals game showcased Washington’s young talent, with Wood and Lowe leading the charge.
Looking Ahead
The series concludes July 10 with Washington’s Michael Soroka (3-6, 5.40 ERA) facing St. Louis’ Miles Mikolas (4-6, 5.36 ERA). The Nationals vs Cardinals finale promises another competitive battle as both teams vie for momentum before the All-Star break.
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