Joe Ross pitched six sharp innings and the Washington Nationals threw their first regular-season shutout at Busch Stadium, blanking the St. Louis Cardinals 6-0 Wednesday.
Ross (1-0) improved to 3-0 in four career starts against the Cardinals. He allowed four hits, struck out five and walked one. He also singled and scored a run.
Four relievers combined to hold St. Louis hitless the rest of the way.
Ryan Zimmerman hit his first homer of the season, a two-run drive in the third off Adam Wainwright (0-2).
Wainwright pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and four runs — three earned — with seven strikeouts and two walks.
Yadier Molina caught his 2,000th game. Molina became just the sixth catcher in MLB history to catch 2,000 career games, and the only backstop to do so exclusively with one team.
After an off day Thursday, RHP Carlos Martinez (0-2, 6.30) will be making his first start against the Phillies 2017, when the Cardinals open a weekend series at Philadelphia. 5:10 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:05 on KIRX.