Joe Ross pitched six sharp innings and the Washington Nationals threw their first regular-season shutout at Busch Stadium, blanking the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 Wednesday.
Ross (1-0) improved to 3-0 in four career starts against the Cardinals. He allowed four hits, struck out five and walked one. He also singled and scored a run.
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Joe Ross pitched six sharp innings and the Washington Nationals threw their first regular-season shutout at Busch Stadium, blanking the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 Wednesday.
The Nationals, who started play in Washington in 2005, had pitched a shutout at St. Louis in the 2019 NL Championship Series opener, but never in the regular season.
The Nationals added two runs in the fifth for a 4-0 lead. Soto hit a sinking line drive to center field that Lane Thomas failed to catch for an error, allowing one run to score. Josh Harrison’s second single of the game drove in Soto.
Wainwright pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs — three earned — with seven strikeouts and two walks. At 39 and in his 16th season, Wainwright is the oldest active player in the National League and fourth in Major League Baseball.
DAY OFF
Nationals: Will Harris (hand) has missed 10 games.
Four relievers combined to hold St. Louis hitless the rest of the way.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina waves to cheering fans after starting a baseball game against the Washington Nationals and becoming the first catcher in major league history to catch 2000 games with one team Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP PhotoJeff Roberson)
The Nationals, who started play in Washington in 2005, had pitched a shutout at St. Louis in the 2019 NL Championship Series opener, but never in the regular season.
Ryan Zimmerman hit his first homer of the season, a two-run drive in the third off Adam Wainwright (0-2). Zimmerman's 271st career home run hit the top of the wall and bounced into the left-center fielder bleacher seats.
Juan Soto reached on an infield single before Zimmerman connected.
Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman is congratulated by third base coach Bob Henley (15) after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP PhotoJeff Roberson)
The Nationals added two runs in the fifth for a 4-0 lead. Soto hit a sinking line drive to center field that Lane Thomas failed to catch for an error, allowing one run to score. Josh Harrison’s second single of the game drove in Soto.
Washington touched reliever Jordan Hicks for a run in the sixth. Ross led off with a single and Hicks walked two, loading the bases. Ross scored on Soto's grounder.
The Nationals final run came in the eighth on a double by Trea Turner with two outs off Giovanny Gallegos.
St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Lane Thomas dives but is unable to catch a double hit by Washington Nationals' Starlin Castro during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP PhotoJeff Roberson)
Wainwright pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs — three earned — with seven strikeouts and two walks. At 39 and in his 16th season, Wainwright is the oldest active player in the National League and fourth in Major League Baseball.
MOLINA MILESTONE
Yadier Molina caught his 2,000th game. Molina became just the sixth catcher in MLB history to catch 2,000 career games, and the only backstop to do so exclusively with one team. After he caught the first pitch, Wainwright stepped off the mound and the fans gave Molina standing ovation. He took off his mask and waved to the fans with his glove hand. A “Yadi” chant broke out. Molina caught his first game June 3, 2004, in Pittsburgh. Woody Williams was the pitcher.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP PhotoJeff Roberson)
DAY OFF
Cardinals SS Paul DeJong and CF Dylan Carlson get their first break from starting this season by getting the game off. Edmundo Sosa played short and Thomas patrolled center field. Carlson pinch-hit in the seventh and drew a walk.
TRAINER’S ROOM
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado looks down after dropping a ball hit for a single by Washington Nationals' Juan Soto during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP PhotoJeff Roberson)
Nationals: Will Harris (hand) has missed 10 games.
Cardinals: LF Tyler O’Neill (right groin) has missed four games.
UP NEXT
Nationals: LHP Patrick Corbin (0-1, 12.46) starts at home Thursday against Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly (0-2, 8.10).
St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Lane Thomas leaps after a two-run home run by Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP PhotoJeff Roberson)
Cardinals: After an off day Thursday, RHP Carlos Martinez (0-2, 6.30) will be making his first start against the Phillies since June 22, 2017, and just his second career start at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Phillies starter is TBD.
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