Cardinals fall Friday but win on Saturday

After Adam Wainwright‘s pitching gem on Thursday night, the St. Louis Cardinals fell to the Washington Nationals on Friday while rebounding with a win on Saturday night.
Apr 18, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) is safe at home on a wild pitch as St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) does not get the ball in time at Nationals Park. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 3-1. Image Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
In a 3-1 loss on Friday night, Michael Wacha pitched seven solid innings in which he allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits. He walked zero while striking out seven. The only earned run came on a third-inning home run by Anthony Rendon.

The mistake came in the seventh inning, allowing the Nationals to score twice. A fielding error by third baseman Matt Carpenter led to Danny Espinosa reaching on a force attempt and loading the bases. With two outs in the inning, a wild pitch from Wacha and a throwing error by Yadier Molina led to two runs scored by Ian Desmond and Espinosa.

Allen Craig had two hits and scored the Cardinals’ only run on Friday.

The Cardinals won 4-3 on Saturday with Molina taking the day off. Tony Cruz started in lieu of Molina. It was the second start for Cruz in a week.
Apr 19, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn (31) throws in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Image Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Offensively, it was a good day for Jon Jay and Cruz. They both had two hits. In the second inning, Cruz had an 2-RBI single that drove in Craig and Jhonny Peralta. Lance Lynn helped himself with a double that drove in Cruz.

In the seventh inning, Matt Carpenter scored on a RBI single from Matt Holliday.

Lynn pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits. He walked three and struck out five batters.

Trevor Rosenthal picked up his fifth save of the season.