The Cardinals seem to have a knack for battling back from big deficits against the Washington Nationals. Whether it comes in the playoffs or on back-to-back nights in the pennant race in September, the Redbirds did it again Tuesday night. Brandon Moss hit a three-run, two-out homer to dead center to cap another big comeback and improve the club to 40-games over .500 with an 8-5 win.
Manager Mike Matheny acknowledged that Moss has been pressing since he was acquired in the July 31 trade with Cleveland, but he has hit three home runs in the last six games, showing what he’s capable of doing. The blast helped the Cardinals, who have won nine of 10, add to their division lead by six games. They’ve won nine in a row over Washington, coming from behind the last two nights.
The homer came off Casey Janssen, who was the loser both nights. He’s given up four runs in less than an innings worth of work the last two games.
The Nationals jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third, chasing starter Marco Gonzales, but the Cardinals answered with three in the bottom half of the inning to chase rookie starter Joe Ross. The Cardinals were down 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth when Drew Storen gave up a single to Tommy Pham and hit Moss. A throwing error by Storen scored Pham and a double play ground ball with the bases loaded tied the game.
Watch the game winner (video/MLB.com)