Cards go after Roark early (Nats fall 7-6)

The Cardinals grabbed the lead quickly with three runs in the first inning against the Nationals starter Tanner Roark.

Following singles by Matt Carpenter and José Martínez, former Nats slugger Matt Adams hit a three-run homer, his 19th of the season.

In the second, the Cardinals padded their lead. Carpenter connected on an RBI double and Martínez added a run-scoring single.

The Cardinals' top three hitters in the lineup have five hits and all five RBIs to begin the game.

The Nats got a double from Bryce Harper in the first. With two outs, Anthony Rendon followed with a single. But Harper was tagged out at home plate without a slide.

In the third, the Nats put together three singles in a row with two outs. But Rendon's fielder's choice to third base ended the threat.

After three innings, the Cardinals lead the Nats 5-0.

Update: Adams hit his second homer of the night as the second batter in the fifth. The Nats countered in the bottom of the inning with one-out single from pinch-hitter Victor Robles. Adam Eaton brought him home with a double. Initially, home plate umpire CB Bucknor called Robles out on the tag by Yadier Molina, but video review overturned his call. The run counted.

Roark finished five innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He threw 111 pitches, 73 for strikes.

After five innings, the Cards lead the Nats 6-1.

Update II: Kyle McGowin, making his major league debut, allowed a solo homer to Yairo Muñoz with one out in the sixth. But McGowin was then able to retire the next two hitters to get out of the inning.

Mid-sixth, the Cards lead 7-1.

Update III: In the bottom of the sixth with one out, Ryan Zimmerman singled. Wilmer Difo then doubled to score Zimmerman.

After six frames, the Cards lead 7-2.

Update IV: Zimmerman hit a three-run double in the seventh. Difo followed with an RBI single. Zimmerman and Difo have combined for four hits and five RBIs.

Suddenly, the Cardinals lead is just 7-6 after seven innings.

Update V: In the bottom of the ninth against Cards reliever Carlos Martínez, Rendon singled. Juan Soto reached base on a fielding error by first baseman Matt Carpenter.

But Zimmerman struck out on a called third strike. Difo flew out to center field for the second out.

Pinch-hitter Michael A. Taylor struck out to end the game.

Final score: Cards 7, Nats 6.