JUPITER, Fla. —Except for a first-inning, two-run homer by Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman, Cardinals starter John Gant had an effective 4 2/3 inning outing against the Nationals Monday. Those were the only two runs Gant allowed as he reached 79 pitches.
The Cardinals had the dubious honor of facing Washington ace Max Scherzer for the third time in 11 days. Monday, the Cardinals had two hits in four innings off Scherzer, including an opposite-field, two-strike double poked by hot-hitting Tyler O’Neill. But after Scherzer left. Washington’s bullpen allowed the Cardinals to come back and win 4-2.