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 Wacha was at it again Thursday, coming out on top in a pitching duel
against Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer as the St.
Louis Cardinals pulled out a 4-1 victory to capture the rubber game
of a closely contested series.
"He was great," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "I thought he
had everything as much as he's had everything so far this season.
Everything looked very sharp."
In his first two starts, Wacha (3-0) prevailed against Cincinnati
ace Johnny Cueto. In Thursday's game, he was able to outlast
Scherzer, going seven innings while striking out six and giving up
two runs and five hits.
"It was fun," Wacha said.
Nothing against St. Louis has been fun for the Nationals. Washington
is 3-13 during the regular season against the Cardinals since 2013
and not even the presence of Scherzer (1-2) on the mound could
change the team's fortunes.
"I haven't been here that whole time, so I don't know," Nationals
manager Matt Williams said. "What I can say to that question is when
we have guys at first and third, we have to get them in. We can't
kick the ball.
"We have to play good defense whether against the Cardinals or
anybody else. You're setting yourself up for being on the wrong end
off the stick if you do those things."
Matt Adams' sixth-inning RBI single proved to be the difference as
the first baseman continued to torment Washington pitching, boosting
his career RBI total to 11 in just 12 games against the Nationals.
The sixth-inning rally started when right fielder Jason Heyward
singled against Scherzer, who then hit left fielder Matt Holliday
with a pitch to move a Cardinals runner into scoring position for
just the third time in the game. Adams followed with a sharp single
to left to break a 1-1 tie.
"He's aggressive with his heater, so I was going up there being
ready for the fastball," Adams said. "I got one middle away that I
was able to put a good swing on."
Wacha kept the Nationals in check for most of the game. His only
blip came in the fifth inning when second baseman Danny Espinosa led
off with a ringing double off the right field wall, Scherzer reached
on an error by Adams and center fielder Denard Span laced an RBI
single to right to tie the score at 1.
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the first inning thanks to some
early wildness from Scherzer, who gave up base hits to the first two
batters and then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Matt Carpenter
to trot home from third base.
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"Overall, I felt good, felt good with my pitches," said Scherzer,
who also jammed a finger while hitting but said he was fine. "I know
they were aggressive and I was able to get some quick outs."
In the eighth, Cardinals pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds drove a ball
deep into the right-center gap and Washington committed two throwing
errors, allowing both Holliday, who had singled one batter before,
and Reynolds to score.
Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal retired the side in order in the
ninth to pick up his sixth save of the season and help continue St.
Louis' dominance against Washington.
"We've got a lot of respect for them and they're a very good team,"
Matheny said. "We don't talk about that, think about it - we just go
out and play the game."
NOTES: Nationals OF Jayson Werth was not in the starting lineup
Thursday, a move manager Matt Williams said was based on keeping him
fresh after he missed spring training and the first week of the
season with a shoulder injury. "He's going to have to have an
occasional day," Williams said. ... Cardinals OF Jason Heyward has
gotten off to a slow start at the plate, but manager Mike Matheny
said the new acquisition's output goes beyond batting average.
"That's not the biggest indicator for us. We like what he's doing,"
Matheny said. ... Cardinals OF Peter Bourjos will return to the team
Friday after missing the last three games for the birth of his
child. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon (knee) will begin a rehab
assignment Friday at Double-A Harrisburg. ... Washington will open a
three-game series at Miami on Friday, with Jordan Zimmermann (1-2)
opposing Mat Latos (0-3). St. Louis will travel to Milwaukee, where
Carlos Martinez (1-0) will face Matt Garza (1-2).
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