The Washington Nationals scored a run in the bottom of the 9 th to edge the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 Friday night at RFK Stadium in the Nation’s Capital.

St. Louis starter Kip Wells pitched 6 strong innings, allowing only 2 earned runs on 6 hits, while striking out 4. He was gone by the time Ryan Zimmerman won the game for the Nats with single in 9 th to score Felipe Lopez from second.

Ryan Franklin (4-1) took the loss, pitching 1/3 of an inning, giving up the 1 earned run on 3 hits. Chad Cordero (2-2) pitched 1 inning, giving up 1 hit, to earn the win.

The Cardinals (50-56) and Washington (49-60) go at it again Saturday night at RFK Stadium. Joel Pineiro (1-1) makes his debut for the Redbirds against the Nationals’ Joel Hanrahan (0-0).