Ryan Zimmerman lifts Nats to 4-3 win (Bryce Harper injured)

ST. LOUIS - Max Scherzer's recent problem with the longball continued into tonight's start when Brandon Moss launched a 96 mph heater deep to right-center to begin the second inning. The 454-foot blast was the longest homer ever hit by a left-handed batter at Busch Stadium.

The Nationals responded in the third when Jayson Werth drilled Tyler Lyons' fastball to straightaway center for a two-out solo homer. It was Werth's sixth tater of the season.

Jayson Werth swing gray.pngScherzer has yielded six hits already but just the one run through three innings.

Ryan Zimmerman unloaded on a 2-2 changeup, crushing a solo home run to left in the fourth. The monster shot, estimated at 441 feet, gave Zimmerman a homer in each game of this series.

Update: Bryce Harper jogged slowly down the first base line after popping out to start the fourth.

When the bottom of the inning started, Matt den Dekker took over in center field for Harper, who left the game.

Update II: The Nationals say Harper exited the game with left glute tightness.

Update III: The Cardinals tied the game on Tommy Pham's bloop RBI single with two outs in the fifth.

Zimmerman started the sixth with his 200th career homer. He now has seven homers and 18 RBIs in his last 10 games.

Update IV: Scherzer battled through six innings, allowing two runs on 11 hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts. He threw 108 pitches.

Update V: A two-out RBI single from Kolten Wong off Matt Grace tied the score in the seventh. Nationals manager Matt Williams used four relievers in the frame (Matt Thornton, Blake Treinen, Grace and Rafael Martin).

Anthony Rendon drew a leadoff walk in the eighth. den Dekker dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance Rendon and then Zimmerman smoked a double down the right field line. Rendon raced to the plate giving the Nats the lead.

Drew Storen is on to pitch the eighth.

Update VI: Storen pitched a perfect eighth.

Jonathan Papelbon allowed two singles in the ninth, but survived the jam.

The Nationals beat the Cardinals 4-3.




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