The Washington Nationals cruised to an 8-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on July 9, 2025, at Busch Stadium, powered by a dominant pitching performance from left-hander MacKenzie Gore and a trio of home runs that provided ample run support. The win marked interim manager Miguel Cairo’s first since taking over the helm and snapped the Nationals’ four-game losing streak, injecting fresh energy into a rebuilding team.
Gore, who improved to 4-8 on the season with a 3.02 ERA, delivered six innings of one-run baseball, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out seven. His command and poise on the mound were evident as he consistently located pitches for strikes, working effectively with catcher Riley Adams. Gore’s ability to keep the Cardinals’ lineup off balance was a key factor in the Nationals’ success. “It’s always nice to have a lead,” Gore said postgame. “But as a pitcher, you want to stay focused on executing your plan. Tonight, the early run support made my job easier.”
That early support came in the first inning when Nathaniel Lowe launched a three-run homer off Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante. Lowe’s blast traveled 360 feet into right field, giving Washington a quick 3-0 lead. Lowe’s power display was a highlight of the night, as he finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs, tying him with James Wood for the team lead in multi-RBI games this season.
Veteran utility infielder Amed Rosario also made a significant impact, hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning that extended the Nationals’ lead to 7-1. Rosario’s homer, a 434-foot shot to left-center field at 107 mph, was his longest of the season and one of the hardest-hit balls at Busch Stadium this year. “It was huge,” Cairo said. “Amed has been doing a great job, and it’s important to get contributions from all parts of the lineup.”
Rookie James Wood continued his impressive season with a seventh-inning solo home run, his 24th of the year, which traveled 433 feet with an exit velocity of 115.9 mph. Wood’s power has been a bright spot for the Nationals, and he now owns two of the three hardest-hit homers in franchise history since Statcast tracking began in 2015.
On the other side, Pallante struggled, giving up seven runs on eight hits over six innings while striking out just one. The Cardinals managed only two runs, both coming late in the game, and were unable to mount a serious threat against Gore and the Nationals’ bullpen.
Cairo, who was named interim manager just days prior following the firing of Dave Martinez, praised his team’s collective effort. “This one was for Davey,” Cairo said. “He believed in these players and put this coaching staff together. It’s a good feeling to get this win for him and for the guys who have been working hard.”
The Nationals’ victory improved their record to 37-54, while the Cardinals fell to 49-43. Washington’s balanced attack and Gore’s stellar pitching sent a message that the team is making strides despite a challenging season.
In summary, MacKenzie Gore’s six-inning gem combined with timely home runs from Nathaniel Lowe, Amed Rosario, and James Wood powered the Nationals to an 8-2 win over the Cardinals. The performance not only snapped a losing streak but also marked a significant milestone for interim manager Miguel Cairo, setting a positive tone for the team’s next chapter.
LATEST
- NEWS
- |
- ARTICLES
- |
- VIDEOS
FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK
