Photos: Cardinals win finale to claim series vs. Nationals in Washington
Washington Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals third baseman Brady House fields a ground ball against St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez bats in the fourth inning during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez bats against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt runs to third base in front of a ground ball during the seventh inning of a game against the Nationals on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals third baseman José Tena breaks his bat against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals third baseman Brady House in action against St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (36) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a 2 RBI single against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) dives head first into third base in front of Washington Nationals third baseman Brady House (12) during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Nasim Nunez (26) throws the ball towards first base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Washington Nationals third baseman Brady House (12) misses the tag Louis Cardinals second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) at third base during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Drew Millas (14) prepares to get behind the plate before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (36) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church (27) jumps to catch a fly ball for an out against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood (29) watches the ball after a base hit against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) stops at first base after a base hit against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder James Wood (29) sprints towards third base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) prepares to throw a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (36) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) hits the ball for a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Washington Nationals third baseman Brady House fields a ground ball against St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals James Wood in action against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt scores against the Washington Nationals in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn and St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II celebrate a win over Washington Nationals during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young fields a line drive against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals James Wood in action against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals pitcher Brad Lord pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals Yohel Pozo at bat agains the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals Jordan Walker celebrates a home run against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn gets a force out against Washington National's James Wood in the third inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals pitcher Cole Henry in action against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien in action against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Washington Nationals pitcher Cionel Pérez pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Washington.
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) is hit in the hands by a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) tosses the ball towards first base for the final out to defeat the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) dives to field a ground ball against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Justin Bruihl (47) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (26) sprints towards home plate to score a run against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher PJ Poulin (50) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Cionel Perez (51) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Cole Henry (99) prepares to throw a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Matt Svanson (49) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (26) blows a bubble while standing on second base against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) reacts after being hit in the hands by a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Ramon Urias (29) throws the ball towards first base against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera visits the mound for a pitching change against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) prepares to throw a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) points to the sky after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) tosses the ball towards first base against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Brad Lord (41) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Brad Lord (41) prepares to throw a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy (36) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (26) throws the ball towards first base against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrates with shortstop Masyn Winn (0) after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Widespread offense, walks when struggling to hit and ground-ball pitchers feeding a strong defense are all elements the Cardinals hope to count as a rebuilding team.
Acquired from Washington this past spring in a curious deal, the right-handed reliever has a new pitch, a "gyro" slider, that is enhancing his other pitches — and his role.
To lift the Cardinals to a 6-1 victory in D.C., Alec Burleson had three hits and three RBIs, two off former teammate Mikolas in his abbreviated start for the Nats.
