— Nolan Gorman and Lars Nootbaar hit back-to-back homers in the sixth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 Friday night.
Washington’s Juan Soto went 1 for 4 in what could be his final homestand with Tuesday’s trade deadline looming. The Nationals were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Miles Mikolas (8-8) allowed two runs in seven innings for St. Louis, which won consecutive games for the first time since July 15-16.
Aníbal Sánchez lost his third consecutive start for Washington.
Gorman hit a two-run homer to right on a full count to break the game open. The rookie has four home runs in his last 10 games and 11 on the season.
St. Louis took the lead with three runs in the third.
C Yadier Molina (right knee) was 0 for 3 with a hit by pitch and a stolen base as the designated hitter Thursday in the first game of his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Memphis. Molina is expected to catch Saturday and Sunday. … RHP Drew VerHagen (right hip) threw a side session Friday. … RHP Jack Flaherty (shoulder) threw a side session Thursday in the Los Angeles area. Marmol said he could join the team in St. Louis next week. … OF Harrison Bader (right foot) will wear a protective boot for the next two weeks.
RHP Dakota Hudson (6-6, 4.10 ERA), who is 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA in six lifetime appearances against Washington, will come off the injured list to start Saturday, 5:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:15.
The Brewers beat Boston 4-1 to keep their 3 game lead over St. Louis.
The Cards and Phillies are still tied for the third wildcard spot.