WASHINGTON -- A key at-bat helped ultimately decide the Cardinals' 6-1 victory over the Nationals on Wednesday, when St. Louis brought in struggling left-hander Brett Cecil to face Bryce Harper in the eighth inning.
The Cardinals pitching staff had stifled the Nationals offense for much of the game Wednesday, but Harper came up to the plate representing the potential go-ahead run with the tying run on base with two outs and runners at the corners. Cecil had allowed all four of the runners he inherited this season to score while Harper has gotten off to a fast start this season with a 1.