Surging Cardinals dump slumping Nationals

Adam Wainwright allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals used a big inning to beat the Washington Nationals for the second night in a row, prevailing 3-2 on Tuesday. The Cardinals have won nine of the past 10 games while the Nationals have lost eight of the past 11. Washington is 4-6 in one-run games while St. Louis is 5-3.

Wainwright (3-2) gave up six hits and two walks while striking out five. Lefty reliever Tyler Webb took over with two runners on and one out in the seventh and got Juan Soto to ground into a double play to end the threat. John Gant followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Andrew Miller got the last two outs for his first save.

Cardinals veteran Yadier Molina caught Wainwright for the 248th time. That ties Tom Glavine and Javy Lopez of the Atlanta Braves for 10th most on the all-time list among batterymates (since 1908). Washington starter Anibal Sanchez (0-4) went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

Adam Eaton and Victor Robles hit back-to-back homers in the third off Wainwright for a 2-0 lead. It was the second time this season the Nationals had back-to-back homers. The Cardinals responded with three runs in the fourth.

Kolten Wong had a bunt single to drive in a run, and Bader followed with a two-run single for a 3-2 lead against Sanchez. On Monday, the Cardinals got all of their runs in the fifth inning during a 6-3 win in the series opener.

The Nationals loaded the bases in the second inning Tuesday as the Cardinals gave an intentional walk to Wilmer Difo to face the light-hitting Sanchez with two outs. The Washington pitcher lined a ball up the middle that glanced off the leg of Wainwright directly to first baseman Matt Carpenter for the last out of the frame. The Cardinals struck out 15 times, with Carpenter whiffing four times.

Before the game, Washington's Anthony Rendon (bruised left elbow) went on the 10-day injured list with an ailment dating back to when he was hit by a pitch April 20. The Nationals called up pitcher Dan Jennings from Double-A Harrisburg, and the left-hander got two outs in the ninth inning.