ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Washington Nationals 4-2 on July 8, 2025, at Busch Stadium, improving their record to 49-43 and holding third place in the National League Central. The Nationals, now 37-54 and fifth in the NL East, struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities despite outhitting the Cardinals 8-7.
The Nationals struck first in the third inning when James Wood’s single drove in Jacob Young, giving Washington a 1-0 lead. Luis García Jr. added an RBI single later in the inning, making it 2-0. The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the third, with Brendan Donovan’s two-run homer tying the game and Alec Burleson’s RBI double putting St. Louis ahead 3-2. Lars Nootbaar’s solo home run in the sixth extended the Cardinals’ lead to 4-2.
Sonny Gray earned the win for St. Louis, improving to 9-3 with a 3.51 ERA, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings while striking out six. Ryan Helsley secured his 18th save, pitching a scoreless ninth. Jake Irvin took the loss for Washington, falling to 7-4 with a 4.78 ERA, giving up four runs on six hits over six innings.
“The Cardinals capitalized on two home runs and strong relief pitching to secure a 4-2 victory over the Nationals on Tuesday,” reported MLB.com. Donovan led the Cardinals, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while Burleson and Nootbaar each contributed an RBI. For the Nationals, Wood and García Jr. each drove in a run, with CJ Abrams going 2-for-4 and scoring.
The Nationals’ offense faltered, leaving seven runners on base and hitting 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Washington’s defense, however, was solid, turning two double plays. The Cardinals’ bullpen, featuring Steven Matz, Phil Maton, JoJo Romero, and Helsley, shut out the Nationals over the final four innings, allowing just two hits.
The game, attended by 20,658, lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes, with a 2-hour, 19-minute delay due to weather. Conditions were overcast with 73-degree temperatures and a 7 mph wind blowing out to right field. The Nationals’ two double plays, one in the fourth and one in the sixth, limited St. Louis’ scoring chances, but Washington’s inability to convert runners in scoring position proved costly.
St. Louis’ victory marked their third win in four games, keeping them in the NL wild-card race. The Nationals, struggling on the road, have lost four of their last five away games. Washington’s team batting average stands at .242, with Abrams leading at .288. The Cardinals’ pitching staff ranks 11th in the NL with a 3.92 ERA, bolstered by Gray’s consistent outings.
Both teams have dealt with injuries, with the Nationals missing key players like Josiah Gray (elbow) and the Cardinals without Matt Carpenter (back). The series continues on July 9 with Washington’s MacKenzie Gore (6-5, 3.45 ERA) facing St. Louis’ Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.12 ERA) at 7:45 p.m. at Busch Stadium.
