Walker, Church & Wetherholt Heroes as Cardinals Beat Nationals 7-6
Apr 7, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt (26) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images The St.
Louis Cardinals Tuesday night game against the Washington Nationals was a parade of missed opportunities and sloppy play, but the St. Louis Cardinals would prevail as Jordan Walker, Nathan Church and JJ Wetherholt played the role of the heroes. The Cardinals got off to a fast start Tuesday night as JJ Wetherholt drew a walk to lead off the game and then stole 2nd.
Alec Burleson singled to right, but Wetherholt was unable to score as he had to make sure Burleson’s ball was not caught. Thanks to an error by JJ Abrams, Wetherholt scored on a ground ball from Jordan Walker. Nolan Gorman then singled to score Alec Burleson making the score 2-0 Cardinals, but he was thrown out trying to take 2nd base.
Matthew Liberatore was not able to take advantage of his early lead as Washington answered in the bottom of the 1st as Wood singled to center. After Mead struck out looking, House singled to center moving Wood up to 2nd. Lile singled Mead in making the score 2-1 Cardinals.
Washington would draw even in the bottom of the 3rd inning when James Wood hit an opposite field bomb . Mead would give the Nationals a 3-2 lead when he hit a 398 foot home run in the bottom of the 5th inning making it 3-2 Nationals. Lile would also score in the bottom of the 5th inning on a single from Abrams giving Washington a 4-2 lead.