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Cardinals can't overcome Nationals' 7-run first and are swept out of the postseason

WASHINGTON —The Cardinals were swept in a four-game postseason series for only the third time in their history Tuesday night when they spotted the Washington Nationals seven runs in the first inning in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.

Unlike Game 3, the Cardinals showed more spunk in this one, rallying to make the game relatively close and they had the potential go-ahead run at the plate in the eighth inning. But pinch hitter Matt Carpenter, one of baseball’s top batsmen ever with the bases loaded, grounded out into the shift.

The Washington bullpen, worst statistically in the majors during the regular season, fired four scoreless innings in relief of Patrick Corbin, who fanned 12, and the Nationals held on for a 7-4 win to complete a four-game sweep.