St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals Match Player Stats – Full Game Recap and Standout Performances
Introduction
The matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals gave fans everything they could ask for—clutch hits, tough pitching, fast base running, and exciting defense. Both teams wanted the win, and it showed from the very first pitch. But to truly understand how this game unfolded, we need to look beyond the final score and focus on the st. louis cardinals vs washington nationals match player stats.
Stats tell us so much more than just wins and losses. They help us see which players stepped up, who delivered in tough moments, and how each team put together their game strategy. Whether you’re a longtime baseball fan or someone just starting to enjoy the game, this article lays it all out in clear, easy-to-read language.
We’ll break things down inning by inning, highlight the players who made a big impact, and go over all the key numbers. Let’s explore how the St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals match player stats bring this exciting game to life.
First Inning Recap: A Quick Start on Both Sides
The game got off to a fast start. The Cardinals opened the first inning with strong swings. Lars Nootbaar smacked a leadoff double to right field. Then Paul Goldschmidt followed with a single that drove Nootbaar in. Less than 10 minutes into the game, St. Louis was already on the board.
The Nationals answered quickly in the bottom half. CJ Abrams led off with a single, showing off his quick bat. After a stolen base, Lane Thomas brought him home with a sharp RBI double. Just like that, the score was tied 1–1.
The early match player stats showed plenty of offensive energy. Both teams swung confidently and made the most of early opportunities.
Cardinals’ Offensive Highlights: Pressure at the Plate
The Cardinals were aggressive at the plate and used smart base running to keep the pressure on Washington’s pitchers. From top to bottom, the lineup showed patience and power.
Key St. Louis Batters:
- Paul Goldschmidt: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 walk
- Nolan Arenado: 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 1 double
- Jordan Walker: 2 hits and 1 run scored
- Brendan Donovan: 1-for-3, 1 triple, 1 RBI
Nolan Arenado was the star of the night. His three hits, including a double in the sixth, drove in two big runs. The Cardinals’ offense kept Washington’s defense busy, and the match player stats clearly show their strong approach at the plate.
Nationals’ Top Performers: Hits, Hustle, and Big Moments
The Nationals didn’t fall behind without a fight. Their top hitters kept swinging aggressively and gave fans some great moments to cheer for.
Washington Standouts:
- CJ Abrams: 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base
- Lane Thomas: 2-for-5, 1 double, 1 run scored
- Joey Meneses: 1-for-3, 1 walk, 1 RBI
- Luis García: 2-for-4, strong contact all game
Abrams led the charge for Washington’s offense. He used his speed and great timing to get on base and score. The St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals match player stats showed how hard the Nationals pushed to close the gap.
Starting Pitchers: Contrasting Styles on the Mound
Both starting pitchers brought different strengths to the game. One focused on strikeouts, while the other tried to keep the ball in play and let his defense help.
Cardinals Starter: Miles Mikolas
- Innings: 6.0
- Hits: 6
- Runs: 2
- Strikeouts: 4
- Walks: 1
Mikolas looked calm and in control most of the night. He kept the Nationals from putting together any big innings. His ability to throw strikes and hit corners made a real difference.
Nationals Starter: Josiah Gray
- Innings: 5.1
- Hits: 8
- Runs: 4
- Strikeouts: 6
- Walks: 2
Gray had trouble with pitch count and command at times, but he also showed flashes of brilliance with back-to-back strikeouts in the fourth inning. The match player stats suggest that while he struggled a bit, his stuff was still tough to hit.
Big Hits That Changed the Game
Late in the game, the Cardinals poured on the offense. In the top of the sixth, Arenado’s double and Donovan’s triple opened up scoring chances. Tommy Edman added an RBI single to keep the inning alive.
Meanwhile, in the seventh, the Nationals missed a golden opportunity with runners on second and third but no outs. Mikolas had left the game, but Giovanny Gallegos worked out of the jam with two popouts and a ground ball.
These are the moments that stats highlight perfectly. The St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals match player stats from innings six and seven show one team cashing in and the other missing their chance.
Bullpen Breakdown: Strong Final Innings
Teams rely on their bullpens to close games, and both teams gave solid efforts in this one.
Cardinals Relievers:
- Giovanny Gallegos: 1.0 IP, 0 runs
- Ryan Helsley: 1.0 IP, 2 strikeouts, 1 save
Helsley was dominant in the ninth. His fastball touched 100 mph and helped lock down the game. Every pitch he threw looked sharp based on his player stats.
Nationals Relievers:
- Mason Thompson: 1.2 IP, 0 runs, 2 strikeouts
- Carl Edwards Jr.: 1.0 IP, 1 hit, no runs
Washington’s bullpen did its job late, but the offense couldn’t come back to support them. The final score would reflect how earlier runs made the difference.
Defensive Highlights: Smart Plays All Around
Both teams made great defensive plays that helped avoid bigger innings. The best one of the night might’ve come from the Nationals.
- Keibert Ruiz gunned down Tommy Edman trying to steal second in the fifth.
- Nolan Arenado made a backhand grab and turned a double play in the fourth inning.
- Victor Robles made a sliding catch in center to rob Goldschmidt in the seventh.
These defensive moments don’t always make the headlines, but they’re all over the match player stats if you know where to look.
Team Batting Comparison: Who Hit Smarter?
Let’s take a look at both teams’ overall offensive performance:
| Category | Cardinals | Nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Hits | 11 | 9 |
| Runs | 5 | 3 |
| Strikeouts (batting) | 6 | 7 |
| Walks | 3 | 2 |
| Extra-Base Hits | 4 | 2 |
The Cardinals made more contact, had more chances with runners on base, and made the most of those spots. The numbers from the St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals match player stats tell a smart hitting story for the Redbirds.
Base Running & Stolen Bases
Speed played a small but important role in this matchup.
- CJ Abrams stole his 19th base of the season.
- Brendan Donovan stretched a single into a double with hustle.
- Tommy Edman scored from second on a ground-ball single thanks to a smart read.
Being aggressive on the bases helped make the difference. The match player stats show how much every bag counts in close games.
Final Score and Stat Recap
The Cardinals played a cleaner game, got more from their lineup, and made fewer mistakes when it mattered most.
Final Score:
- St. Louis Cardinals: 5
- Washington Nationals: 3
Key Stats:
- Hits: Cardinals 11 | Nationals 9
- Errors: None for either team
- Left on Base: Cardinals 6 | Nationals 7
- RISP Batting: Cardinals 3-for-9 | Nationals 1-for-8
That “runners in scoring position” stat says a lot. The Cardinals took advantage, and the Nationals didn’t.
Advanced Stats Breakdown Made Easy
Let’s look at a few key advanced metrics from this game—but explained in simple terms:
- OPS (On-Base + Slugging): Arenado led the game, combining getting on base with power hits.
- WHIP (Walks + Hits/Innings): Mikolas’s WHIP was under 1.20—a strong number for any starter.
- LOB% (Left On Base Percentage): Cardinals stranded fewer runners compared to the Nationals.
When the match player stats line up with what happens on the field, it shows how important both traditional and advanced stats can be.
What This Game Tells Us About Both Teams
This game showed the Cardinals are dangerous when their top batters get rolling. The combo of Goldschmidt and Arenado can take over a game. Their starting pitching and bullpen backed up the offense with calm, steady execution.
The Nationals showed improvement and fight. Young talent like CJ Abrams and Luis García brought energy. But the team still needs better results when they’re in scoring position. The St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals match player stats highlight the narrow gaps between these two teams.
FAQs
1. Who was the top player in the game?
Nolan Arenado led the game with three hits and two RBIs, making him the most impactful player.
2. How did the starting pitchers perform?
Miles Mikolas pitched six solid innings for St. Louis, while Josiah Gray gave up four runs in five.
3. Were there any home runs?
Surprisingly, there were no home runs in this matchup, but there were doubles and a triple.
4. Which bullpen was stronger?
The Cardinals’ bullpen allowed no runs and locked down the win with a save by Helsley.
5. Who had the most hits for the Nationals?
CJ Abrams led with three hits and also stole a base.
6. What was the biggest turning point in the game?
A two-run sixth inning by the Cardinals, powered by Arenado and Donovan, gave them a lead they held.
Conclusion
The St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals match player stats did more than just show who scored—they told the full story. Every at-bat, pitch, and hustle play fed into how this game unfolded. St. Louis earned a tough 5–3 win by taking smart swings, making timely defensive plays, and relying on their reliable bullpen late in the game.
Washington showed heart and talent, with young players stepping into big roles. But a few missed chances at the plate proved costly.
Whether you’re a fan looking at box scores or someone learning how to enjoy baseball more deeply, the stats help bring every part of the game to life.
