WASHINGTON – The St. Louis Cardinals have now seen what it’s like the other side of an energy-sapping, soul-crushing, series-clinching first-inning beatdown.
Just six days after the Cardinals eliminated the Atlanta Braves with a 10-run first inning in Game 5 of the National League Division Series, the Washington Nationals nearly did the same thing to them.
The Nats bats blasted rookie right-hander Dakota Hudson for seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the first inning to take a commanding lead on their way to what could be a four-game sweep of the Cardinals and a berth in the world Series.
Anthony Rendon drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly – the only out Hudson would get in the inning – and Juan Soto added an RBI double to get things started. The Nationals also benefited from a pair of defensive misplays by a Cardinals defense that was one of the best in the majors during the regular season.
Second baseman Kolten Wong dropped a throw on a potential force play and a trio of Cardinals – Wong, right fielder Jose Martinez and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt – allowed a shallow popup off the bat of Victor Robles to drop in between them, scoring another run.
Yan Gomes added an RBI single and Trea Turner drove in two more with a single in his second at-bat of the inning before the frame mercifully came to an end.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB playoffs: Nationals score 7 on Cardinals in first inning of Game 4