Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - David Eckstein went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and Abraham Nunez added a two-run single to help the
St. Louis Cardinals down the
Washington Nationals, 6-0, in the finale of a three-game series at RFK Stadium.
The Cardinals, who have a commanding lead in the NL Central, took the final two games of the series and have won five of their last seven contests.
Cal Eldred started for St. Louis after Mark Mulder was a late scratch with a stiff neck. Eldred allowed just two hits in three-plus innings of work. Brad Thompson (2-0) picked up the win with three innings of scoreless relief, while Julian Tavarez, Al Reyes and Ray King each tossed a frame to complete the shutout.
The Nationals had just four hits in the setback and lost for the sixth time in their last nine games.
John Halama (0-1) was making his first start in a Washington uniform and was dealt the loss after allowing two runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings. Halama had tossed seven shutout innings out of the bullpen since joining the Nationals on August 18.
The Cardinals snapped a scoreless game with three runs in the sixth inning. Eckstein doubled with one out and Halama walked Jim Edmonds. Hector Carrasco came on in relief and issued a walk to John Rodriguez to load the bases. Yadier Molina hit a grounder to short and Washington was only able to get the runner at second, allowing Eckstein to score.
St. Louis made it 2-0 when it pulled off a double steal and Edmonds swiped home. So Taguchi would then drive in Molina with an infield single.
The Cardinals added three more runs in the eighth to go ahead 6-0. Eckstein led off with a double and scored on Rodriguez's one-out single. Nunez would later drive in two more runs with a bloop single to center.
The Nationals threatened in the fourth inning, but came away empty. Jamey Carroll and Nick Johnson hit consecutive singles to chase Eldred from the game. Johnson was then erased at second on Jose Guillen's fielder's choice before Preston Wilson grounded into a double play.
Game Notes
St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols was ejected from the game in the first inning. Pujols was arguing a play from the top of the first when he was caught stealing at second...The Cardinals improved to 42-23 in road games this season.
