Nats’ pitcher go the distance in Cards’ 6-1 loss

Nationals rookie right-hander Shairon Martis, tossed the first complete-game win for the club since 2006 as the Cardinals lost 6-1 without Albert Pujols.  Martis (3-0) was brilliant, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning and scattering five hits, striking out six without walking a batter.

Cards starter Joel Pineiro (4-1), who allowed four runs, only one earned, didn’t do bad either giving up seven hits in seven innings.  One of those was a three run homer by Adam Dunn. 

The play of the game was defensive liability Chris Duncan, who filled in for Pujols dropped a pop foul that led to those three runs to eventually score.  Duncan was  playing his first game at first base since July 2008, and came up through the Cards’ system as first-base prospect

The only damage the Cards could do was Colby Rasmus’ first career home run in the seventh.  The Cardinals despite the loss still hold a four game lead in the Central Division.