The St Louis Cardinals responded to a two-run deficit quickly, as a Brendan Donovan home run and Alec Burleson double turned the tide on the Washington Nationals en route to a 4-2 win Tuesday, July 8 at Busch Stadium.

After a two-hour rain delay, the Nationals scored both their runs in the top of the third with a James Wood single and then a grounder by Luis García Jr. The Nationals lead would go away with the swing of Donovan’s bat on the first pitch from Jake Irvin, sending the pitch over the right field fence. Masyn Winn followed that up with a single, and was brought home by Burleson’s game-winning RBI double. Irvin also gave up a home run to Lars Nootbaar in the sixth, charged with all four runs in the loss as he allowed six hits and four walks while striking out three.

Starter Sonny Gray completed five innings for his ninth win of the season. He allowed both Washington runs on five hits and one walk, striking out six. Ryan Helsley allowed a leadoff walk and a single in the ninth but got a forceout to end the game and grab his 18th save of the season.

The Cardinals improve to 49-43, 5.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central while 1.5 games behind San Francisco for the third wild card spot. Game two of the series against the Nationals is Wednesday at Busch Stadium, as Andre Pallante will get the start. First pitch is at 6:45 p.m.