Cardinals reliever Lance Lynn lost a 13-pitch battle as Jason Werth launched a home run in the bottom of the ninth to send the Nationals to a 2-1 win and force a fifth and decisive game.
Manager Mike Matheny was asked why he didn’t use Jason Motte in that situation, but he made the right move by not bringing in the closer in a tie game on the road.
This game was all about the pitching. Kyle Lohse lasted seven innings, allowing one run (a solo homer by Adam LaRoche in the second) and two hits. Wentzville, MO. native Ross Detwiler went six innings, allowing an unearned run and three hits. Lohse was replaced by Mitchell Boggs, who struck out pinch hitter Chad Tracy with a man on to end the eighth, before Lynn took over.
The Cardinals struck out eight straight times down the stretch gainst three Nationals pitchers — Jordan Zimmermann, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen, who threw the top of the ninth and got the win.
Adam Wainwright will face Gio Gonzalez in the final on Friday. First pitch is 7:37 CT.