Jordan Walker Homers, But Cardinals Bullpen Implodes, Nationals Win 9-6

Andre Pallante started the game wild, but was able to bring the game under control giving the St. Louis Cardinals a chance to win. It looked like they would win with clutch home runs from Ramón Urías and Jordan Walker, but the Cardinals bullpen blew it in the late innings as the Nationals came from behind for a 9-6 victory.

The Washington Nationals took advantage of a wild start from Andre Pallante banking 2 runs in the bottom of the first inning as Wood scored on a Lile groundout and Garcia Jr. scored on a single by Nuñez. However, Pallante was able to work his way out of the inning and didn’t allow another run through the remainder of his 5 innings.

One of the best plays in the game came in the top of the 4th inning when Nolan Gorman hammered a pitch to deep right, but the ball was pulled back into the park thanks to an amazing catch by James Wood.

The Cardinals would get on the board in the 5th inning after Thomas Saggese doubled and later scored on a fielder’s choice groundout by Alec Burleson. But, it was in the top of the 6th inning when the Cardinals would take a temporary lead on a two-run center field blast from Ramón Urías.

The Cardinals bullpen could not hold the lead as Justin Bruihl came into the game relieving Pallante in the bottom of the 6th. He’d get the first two outs, but then walked two leading to a double by Young which tied the score. JoJo Romero was brought in to put out the fire. He promptly walked Wood, but was able to get Mead to flyout to right to Walker.

The Cardinals went down quietly 1-2-3 in the top of the 7th, but JoJo Romero got into trouble in the bottom of the 7th giving up a leadoff double to House. He advanced to 3rd on a single by Lile. Abrams hit a fly ball to left field that looked like it would be a sacrifice fly, but Lile was thrown out by Thomas Saggese at home which was confirmed after review.

Jordan Walker continued his much improved start to the 2026 season with an opposite field home run traveling 366 feet to lead off the 8th inning giving the Cardinals a 4-3 lead.

After a Masyn Winn walk, Ramón Urías struck again. The Cardinals got aggressive again with a hit-and-run which put another run on the board when Winn was able to score from first base on a double by Urías.

Ramón advanced to third on an infield hit beat out by Saggese. He would then score on a sacrifice bunt by Victor Scott II. giving the Cardinals a comfortable 6-3 lead. Stanek was brought into the game to get the last out in the bottom of the 7th. He gave up 2 hits in the bottom of the 8th inning which brought up Wood who tied the game with a laser shot over the 402 mark in center field tying the game 6-6. Matt Svanson was brought in to relieve Stanek and immediately gave up a double to Mead and then a 2-run bomb to Brady House giving Washington an 8-6 lead. Abrams followed that with his own line drive home run over the right field wall putting the Nationals up 9-6.

Jordan Walker would continue his hot hitting with an opposite field single to start the 9th, but the Cardinals were unable to rally resulting in the final score of 9-6.

Monday’s loss brings the Cardinals back to the .500 mark with a 5-5 record. They’ll try to get back to their winning ways Tuesday night as Matthew Liberatore will make his 3rd start of the season against Cade Cavalli who’s scheduled to start for the Nationals.