The St. Louis Cardinals unleashed a powerful offensive display en route to an emphatic 8-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on July 10, 2025, at Busch Stadium. The win capped a dominant series sweep and marked the Cardinals’ first season series triumph over the Nationals since 2021. Fueled by a five-run sixth inning and stellar pitching from Miles Mikolas, St. Louis showcased why they remain a formidable force in the National League.
Mikolas’ Commanding Performance
Miles Mikolas set the tone early, delivering 5⅔ innings of two-hit ball while striking out six and walking just one. This outing marked Mikolas’ first win since May 23, ending a frustrating stretch where he went 0-4 with a 7.75 ERA over his previous seven starts. After surrendering a leadoff double to CJ Abrams in the first inning, Mikolas settled in and retired 13 consecutive batters, demonstrating the veteran’s poise and control.
“Miles was sharp tonight,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. “He gave us quality innings and kept the Nationals off balance, which allowed our offense to build momentum.”
Explosive Sixth Inning Sparks the Offense
The Cardinals’ offense remained patient early, but the floodgates opened in the sixth inning with a five-run eruption that broke the game wide open. Nolan Arenado and Yohel Pozo each delivered RBI singles, while Masyn Winn capped the rally with a clutch run-scoring double. This inning turned a close contest into a commanding lead, energizing the home crowd and deflating the Nationals.
Alec Burleson also contributed significantly, driving in two runs and providing consistent offensive pressure throughout the game. Brendan Donovan added two hits, scored twice, and drove in a run, rounding out a balanced and relentless offensive attack.
Contreras’ Power Adds Insurance
Willson Contreras provided the exclamation point in the seventh inning, launching his 12th home run of the season a 406-foot blast to center field off reliever Jackson Rutledge. Contreras’ homer extended the Cardinals’ lead to 8-0 and underscored the team’s ability to capitalize on late-inning opportunities.
Nationals’ Struggles and Lone Run
Washington starter Michael Soroka struggled to contain the Cardinals’ lineup, allowing five runs over four innings while throwing 91 pitches, 57 of which were strikes. The Nationals’ offense was largely stifled, managing just four hits in the game. Their lone run came in the eighth inning when Jacob Young drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, but it was too little, too late.
Standings and Season Implications
With this win, the Cardinals improved to 50-44, maintaining their position in the National League Central and solidifying their status as playoff contenders. The Nationals fell to 38-55, continuing their struggles in rebuilding mode.
Since June 1, the Cardinals have been dominant when scoring first, posting a 13-3 record, a testament to their strong starts and ability to maintain leads.
Manager’s Perspective
Manager Oliver Marmol praised his team’s balanced effort: “Our pitching and hitting came together tonight. When we execute like this, we’re tough to beat. It’s a great feeling to sweep a series and build momentum as we push toward the postseason.”
What’s Next?
The Cardinals will look to continue their winning ways as they prepare for a home series against the Atlanta Braves, with left-hander Matthew Liberatore slated to start. The Nationals head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, hoping to rebound with left-hander Mitchell Parker on the mound.
St. Louis’ 8-1 rout of Washington was a showcase of pitching dominance and timely hitting. Miles Mikolas’ strong outing combined with a potent offensive surge, highlighted by a five-run sixth inning and Willson Contreras’ towering homer, propelled the Cardinals to a decisive victory. This performance not only secured a series sweep but also reinforced the Cardinals’ position as a team to watch in the 2025 MLB season.
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