Paul Goldschmidt hit a game-winning homer in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Sunday, ending a three-game losing streak.
Leading off the ninth, Goldschmidt hit a 2-2 sinker from Dylan Floro (3-3) into the left field stands for his 16th homer of the season and his eighth career walk-off home run.
“I was just trying to get on base,” Goldschmidt said. “There’s been a lot of times this year, way more often than not, that I have not come through in the ninth or extra innings. So, I’m just thankful to be able to get the job done today.”
It was the Cardinals’ second walk-off win of the season and their first since Nolan Gorman homered on April 22 against Arizona.
“I called the walk-off homer,” Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras said. “We needed it. He needed it. Everybody needs it. It was just a good game. We battled, tough innings, but we never gave up.”
John King, Andrew Kittredge, and Ryan Helsley (4-2) combined to pitch three scoreless innings in relief. Starter Miles Mikolas allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings.
“You’re trying to make a push at this time of year,” Mikolas said. “It was a big spot for me coming out here, keeping it close, giving us a chance. We played some great defense.”
Rookie Washington starter DJ Herz gave up two runs on three hits and struck out eight in five innings.
“He didn’t rely on his offspeed stuff,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. “He got ahead and stayed with the fastball which was good. Our reports were to try to get the ball up on some of those guys, and he did a great job.”
Contreras homered on the first pitch he saw from Herz in the first inning, marking his 13th of the season. It was Contreras’ fifth homer in his last eight games against Washington.
Michael Siani hit an RBI single in the seventh inning that deflected off the glove of Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, tying the game at 3-3.
