WASHINGTON • There, in the top of the ninth inning, was the breathing room the Cardinals had lacked throughout the series at Nationals Park, delivered with another RBI swing from cleanup hitter Stephen Piscotty.
But the defense and bullpen had already played their part, in the finale.
The two most-turbulent elements of the Cardinals' play were vital to the team's 6-1 victory against Washington on Wednesday evening. With a two-run game to protect and the tying run on base, lefty Brett Cecil, who has personified the Cardinals' bullpen troubles, got a key out to protect the lead.