In a preview of a potential postseason matchup, the Cardinals topped the Nationals 10-9 on Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C., snapping a four-game losing streak while moving 1 1/2 games ahead of the Pirates (who lost) and the Dodgers (who won) in the National League Wild Card standings.
David Freese, the big hero from last October, went 3-for-5 with a home run to center field and three total RBI. Jon Jay finished 3-for-4 and made two great grabs in center field. Jason Motte closed it out with a perfect 10-pitch ninth inning for his 32nd save of the season.
The Cardinals lost 9-0 to the Pirates on Tuesday, 5-0 to the Pirates on Wednesday, then 8-1 to the Nationals on Thursday and 10-0 on Friday. But the offense seems to have found new life, and the schedule gets easier when the Redbirds return home on Monday for a six-game homestand with the Mets and Brewers.
St. Louis has six games left against the Astros.
Your Saturday box scores and recaps:
Twins 3, Royals 1 (Game 1)
Twins 8, Royals 7 (Game 2)