After 2 1/2 innings in which the Cardinals and Nationals did everything but score, the Cardinals broke through in the third to take a 3-0 lead at Busch Stadium. The Nationals got a run back in the top of the fourth to make it 3-1.
Against beleagured Nats starter Tanner Roark, who needed 86 pitches to get through three innings (we're betting against the complete game), the Cardinals scored first on a bases-loaded single by Yadier Molina, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games. The inning started with walks to Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty and a single off Roark's hand by Jedd Gyorko.