ST. LOUIS — Harrison Bader’s speed was the biggest factor in the Cardinals winning their eighth consecutive game on Wednesday night, defeating the Nationals at Busch Stadium.
That speed was on display on both offense and defense, first when he made a full-speed, diving catch to take away at least a double from Bryce Harper in the fourth inning.
That catch came with a runner on first, so it saved at least one run, and when the next hitter, Ryan Zimmerman, singled, the catch likely saved a second run.
On offense, Bader used his speed to lead off the fifth with a double and after being sacrificed to third, scored on a wild pitch that did not bounce very far away from home plate.
Bader also used his bat, following his double with an RBI single in the sixth.
The win kept the Cardinals four games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and one game out of a wild-card playoff spot. They are now 11 games over .500 for the first time since their 100-win season in 2015.
The Cardinals improved to 12-2 in August, the best record in the National League.
The only negative note for the Cardinals was that Matt Carpenter had to leave the game after being hit by a pitch on his right hand in the seventh inning, although an announcement later from the team said that X-rays were negative.
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate: Marcell Ozuna hit his 14th homer of the year leading off the second inning to give the Cardinals their first run … After Bader scored in the fifth, Carpenter scored on a single by Yadier Molina … Carpenter had reached base on an intentional walk, which extended his streak of reaching base to 33 consecutive games … They increased the lead to 4-0 in the sixth on Kolten Wong’s leadoff single, a stolen base and the single by Bader… Bader added his third hit of the night with a single in the eighth inning.
On the mound: Aided by Bader’s diving catch, Austin Gomer got out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth by striking out Michael A. Taylor … Gomber allowed just three hits over his six scoreless innings but did walk four while striking out six … The Nationals stranded seven runners in the first six innings, four in scoring position … Daniel Poncedeleon gave up a home run to Daniel Murphy leading off the ninth before Bud Norris relieved and gave up a sacrifice fly before nailing down his 23rd save.
Key stat: Including Gomber’s 11 scoreless innings in his last two starts, the Cardinals’ left-handers have not allowed a run in their last 17 1/3 combined innings. This totals eight appearances over the last nine games, three from Chasen Shreve (2 2/3 innings) and three by Tyler Webb (3 2/3 innings).
Worth noting: The Cardinals activated Brett Cecil from the disabled list and optioned Webb to Memphis, despite the fact he did not allow a run in six appearances since joining the team, covering 7 2/3 innings. “Tyler Webb did everything he needed to do to stay on this ballclub,” said manager Mike Shildt. Webb is expected to return when rosters can be expanded on Sept. 1 … Carlos Martinez is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the next couple of days and then re-join the Cardinals, as a reliever, when the team is on the road next week … Adam Wainwright is scheduled to pitch an inning for Class A Palm Beach on Thursday night in the second game of his rehab assignment.
Looking ahead: The Cardinals have flipped their scheduled starters for the next two games, moving Luke Weaver up to start Thursday night as the Cardinals try to complete a sweep of the four-game series against the Nationals. That sets up Jack Flaherty to start Friday night in the opener of the weekend series against the Brewers.