Nationals score 4 runs in 11th in an 8-5 victory over the Cardinals

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Washington successfully challenged for catcher’s interference with the bases loaded in a four-run 11th inning in the Nationals’ 8-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

After Washington took the lead on the interference call, Jose Tena had a two-run double and Dylan Crews followed with an RBI sacrifice fly.

J.J. Wetherholt led off the bottom of the 11th with an RBI single, and St. Louis loaded the bases with no outs, but did not score again. Washington reliever Will Dion got the final out for his first career save.

Riley Cornelio (3-2) was the winner. Gordon Graceffo (8-2) took the loss.

The Nationals (73-82) have won six of their last seven following a seven-game losing streak. The Cardinals (75-80) have lost four straight games.

Nationals score 4 runs in 11th in an 8-5 victory over the Cardinals | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Andrew Alvarez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Jorbit Vivas had a career-high four hits and added an RBI and a run for Washington. James Wood had two hits and scored a run. Daylen Lile blasted a two-run home run to center field in the first inning, the 22nd of the season for the 23-year-old left fielder.

Nathan Church led off the bottom of the ninth with an infield hit that bounced off the second base bag for a double. Pedro Pages followed with an RBI single to left, his first RBI since June 18, to tie it at 3.

Vivas hit a two-out RBI single in the 10th inning to give the Nationals a 4-3 lead, only for Mason Wynn to it with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

Up next

Cardinals LHP Quinn Mathews (2-3, 3.62) was set to face Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (2-9, 5.51) on Sunday in the series finale.

Nationals score 4 runs in 11th in an 8-5 victory over the Cardinals | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Nationals’ Daylen Lile celebrates as he runs the bases after hotting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

___ See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Nationals score 4 runs in 11th in an 8-5 victory over the Cardinals | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Nationals’ James Wood, left, congratulates Daylen Lile on his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)
Nationals score 4 runs in 11th in an 8-5 victory over the Cardinals | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Nationals’ Nasim Nuñez runs on an RBI single during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

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