Cardinals 5 - Nationals 3 (9/20/2026): Herrera's Homer Lifts St. Louis

The St. Louis Cardinals took down the Washington Nationals with a score of 5-3 at Busch Stadium on September 20, 2026. With this victory, the Cardinals improved their season record to 75-80, holding the 4th position in the NL Central. Meanwhile, the Nationals fell to 73-82, maintaining their position at 4th in the NL East.

It was a toasty day with overcast clouds and a slight breeze in St. Louis as the Cardinals and Nationals squared off. The weather didn't deter the Cardinals, who started strong by putting a run on the board in the first inning. The Nationals responded in the second inning, tying the game at 1-1.

Cardinals Edge Ahead

After a quiet third inning from the Nationals, the Cardinals regained the lead with another run, making it 2-1 by the end of the third. Both teams were silent in the fourth and fifth innings as pitching took the spotlight. The Nationals eventually broke through in the sixth inning with two runs, taking a narrow 3-2 lead.

Starting pitcher Quinn Mathews showed endurance for the Cardinals, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on seven hits. He struck out three and walked two, keeping the Nationals' hitters in check for much of the game. His counterpart, Jake Irvin, also put in a solid performance for the Nationals, striking out eight Cardinals over 5.1 innings.

The Cardinals made a decisive move in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three runs to reclaim the lead, 5-3. Iván Herrera and Leo Bernal were pivotal in this inning, each contributing crucial home runs that turned the tide in favor of St. Louis.

Strong Bullpen Performances

On the mound, Luis Gastelum picked up the win for St. Louis, pitching a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts. Ryan O'Brien secured the save, closing out the game with a flawless ninth inning for the Cardinals.

For the Nationals, Yovanny Cruz took the loss after a rough outing in the eighth inning. His brief 0.1 inning appearance saw him surrender two earned runs on one hit and a walk.

On the hitting side, CJ Abrams led the way for the Nationals with a home run that tallied two RBIs. Daylen Lile contributed with a double, showcasing some bright spots in the Nationals' offensive lineup.

Looking Ahead

The win gives the Cardinals some momentum as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Pirates in an away series starting September 22, 2026. St. Louis will aim to maintain their improved form on the road.

The Nationals, on the other hand, will travel to Comerica Park to take on the Detroit Tigers. As they attempt to bounce back, Washington's hitters and pitchers will need to find a way to tighten up their game.

With both teams firmly out of the playoff picture, focus will likely turn to finishing the season strong and building for next year. The Cardinals will look to end their season on a high note, while the Nationals will try to make the most of their remaining games.