WASHINGTON • The Cardinals had cut into Washington's lead and reached Washington's bullpen with three innings to go Sunday and a series to take.
There was just one issue.
The Nationals had also chased starter Michael Wacha from the game and were about to benefit from a curious decision by manager Mike Matheny -- one forced upon him, he later revealed, by the lack of arms available in the bullpen. With the Nationals ahead by two runs, the Nats loaded the bases against Cardinals relievers Jonathan Broxton and lefty Dean Kiekhefer. Kikehefer got the first out of the inning and then walked leadoff hitter Ben Revere to put a National at every base.