WASHINGTON • Whether it's Kolten Wong dropping bunts, Marcell Ozuna socking homers, or, in the past two games, Harrison Bader doing a bit of both, the many facets of the Cardinals' lineup have had a chance to glisten in two come-from-behind victories against the host Nationals.
Cardinals leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter, an All-Star in the role who received MVP votes a year ago for the damage he did at No. 1, struck out four times in Tuesday's victory against the Nationals. His average shriveled to .202, and while he's kept his on-base percentage aloft with walks, the lefthanded hitter has been searching for ways to crack through the shift, to break free of the strikeouts and the be more consistent atop the order.