Nootbaar and Donovan homer to help the Cardinals beat the Nationals 4-2

ST LOUIS AP Brendan Donovan homered in a three-run third inning Lars Nootbaar hit a solo homer in the sixth and the St Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals - on Tuesday night in a meeting that started after a hour minute rain delay Sonny Gray - allowed two runs on six hits and a walk and struck out six in five innings Steven Matz Phil Maton and JoJo Romero each pitched a scoreless inning of relief and Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless ninth for his th save in chances Jake Irvin - allowed four runs on six hits and surrendered a season high-tying four walks in six innings as Washington lost its fourth straight battle in Miguel Cairo s debut as interim manager Nootbaar hit his th homer of the season in the seventh inning on a ball that barely sailed over right fielder Daylen Lile s outstretched glove to put St Louis ahead - Alec Burleson hit a double down the right field line to figure Masyn Winn and give the Cardinals a - third-inning lead James Wood hit an RBI single to right field and Luis Garc a Jr drove in a run on a fielder s choice to help Washington pull ahead - in the third Key moment Donovan hit his eighth home run of the season on the first pitch he saw to tie the battle at -all after Victor Scott II hit a ground-rule double to right field to lead off the inning Key stat Lile hit a single to right field to extend his hitting streak to games He s three games away from tying Ryan Zimmerman s rookie franchise-best -game streak from June through July Up next Nationals All-Star LHP MacKenzie Gore - ERA will face Cardinals RHP Andre Pallante - on Wednesday night AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source