Kyle Gibson
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Keibert Ruiz hit a three-run home run to cap Washington’s seven-run outburst in the sixth inning, and the Nationals beat the St. Louis Cardinals 14-3 on Saturday night.
St. Louis lost its third straight and ninth of its last 14 to fall out of a wild-card position. They bounced back on Sunday with a 4-3 win.
Greenfield’s Kyle Gibson got the start on Saturday.
The beginning of Gibson’s start was delayed more than two hours by rain.
“That was probably one of the least fun starts I’ve had in a long time. Just getting fired back up that second time, I don’t know that I’ve ever had a delay after I’ve played long toss and am about ready to go to the mound, quite frankly,” Gibson said. “It’s unfortunate timing, but it’s just part of it. You’ve got to adapt and adjust and try to get yourself ready.”
Gibson (7-4) struggled with his command and gave up two runs in five innings. He gave up six hits, walked three and hit a batter with a pitch but stranded eight runners.
“He didn’t feel good from pitch one today, and he’ll tell you that,” St. Louis manager Oli Marmol said. “I thought he navigated that really well. Usually when a guy doesn’t feel good, he can give in a lot more than that.”
Lars Nootbaar kept the Cardinals close with a sliding catch in the fourth inning to rob Jacob Young, whose three-run triple in the 10th inning was the decisive hit in the Nationals’ 10-8 win on Friday night. Young, celebrating his 25th birthday, again came up with the bases loaded and pulled a line drive to right field.
James Wood didn’t recognize that the ball was catchable and couldn’t score after he was late tagging up from third.
Washington again loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, but Gibson retired Ruiz on a popup before Luis García lined out.
Gibson’s next start is scheduled for Thursday in Chicago against the rival Cubs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
