The last time the St. Louis Cardinals won a game, it was the winner-take-all Game 5 of the NL Division Series. Baseball fans will recall that the Cardinals hung a record 10 runs on the Atlanta Braves in that game and went on to win, 13-1.
Things have a funny way of coming full circle. The Washington Nationals didn’t score 10, but their first inning in Game 4 of the NLCS Tuesday was the most deflating thing that could have happened to an already-wilting Cardinals side.
The Nationals took a 7-0 lead on St. Louis in the first inning, putting them on the cusp of a sweep of the Cardinals and the first World Series berth in franchise history.
It started with Patrick Corbin striking out the side to open the game, fanning Tommy Edman, Jose Martinez and Paul Goldschmidt with just 13 pitches.
Washington got on the board quickly as Trea Turner singled, Adam Eaton doubled and Anthony Rendon brought Turned in on a sacrifice fly. Soto scored Eaton on the next play with a booming double to the far left-field corner.
Soto!
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2019
The Nats couldn’t script a better first frame. #NLCS pic.twitter.com/7UyJNxXkXl
With just one out, the Cardinals decided to intentionally walk the hot-hitting Howie Kendrick to get to Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman grounded to third, but the fielder’s choice throw to Kolten Wong was bobbled and everyone was safe.
Victor Robles got to the plate and hit a blooper into shallow right. Again, it should have been an easy play… but tell that to the three fielders who let the ball fall to their feet.
One run scored, and two more followed when Yan Gomes belted a double.
5-0 with only one out. 😱
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2019
The @Nationals are trying to finish the fight in the first. pic.twitter.com/CpYtukHGNO
Patrick Corbin laid down a sacrifice bunt for the second out and Turner brought in the final two runs on another single.
SEVEN. NOTHING. #NLCS pic.twitter.com/3a3M98boQ1
— MLB (@MLB) October 16, 2019
When the dust had settled, the Nationals were just eight innings away from punching their tickets to the World Series.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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