Surging Cardinals defeat Nationals 8-3

Willson Contreras hit his second homer of the series and the revitalized St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Washington Nationals 8-3 on Sunday.

Contreras hit a line drive 395-foot homer off Nationals reliever Derek Law in the seventh. He also singled and scored twice with three RBIs. The two-run shot was his ninth of the season and third homer in the past five days. 

Nolan Gorman added a single, double and two RBIs. Gorman enjoyed his stay in D.C. this weekend, going seven for his last 11 after a 6-for-69 (.087) slump from June 12-July 4. He has reached base safely in 46 of his last 50 games.

Nolan Arenado also had a great series against the Nationals. The veteran third baseman had a two-run single in the three-run fifth inning. He has seven hits in the series.

The Cardinals have won five of their last seven and have the best record in the National League since May 12 at 32-18 (.640).

Kyle Gibson (7-3) finished five innings plus three batters, allowing three runs on nine hits with eight strikeouts and two walks on 96 pitches, 61 for strikes. In his first win in three starts at Nationals Park, Gibson has now won three of his last four dating to June 14.





(AP Photo Mark Schiefelbein)