A three-run home run in the top of the first was all the Washington Nationals needed to defeat the St Louis Cardinals, but their offense remained steady in their 8-2 victory Wednesday, July 9 at Busch Stadium.

With two runners on and two out, Nathaniel Lowe delivered on a 1-1 pitch from Andre Pallante to hit his 14th home run of the year, sending it to right field. The Cardinals grabbed a run back in the home half of the frame with Alex Burleson’s singler to score Willson Contreras, but the Cardinals would not get closer. Washington added three in the fourth with an RBI double from Alex Call and two-RBI single Jacob Young. Amed Rosario and James Wood added solo home runs later in the game, while Masyn Winn accounted for the Cardinals’ other RBI in the bottom of the seventh.

Pallante pitched six innings in the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits and one ball while adding a strikeout. Washington went five-for-ten with runners in scoring position, only leaving two on base.

The Cardinals are now 49-44 and sit third in the NL Central, 5.5 games behind the Cubs, while also 1.5 games behind San Francisco for the third wild card spot. The series wraps up Thursday evening, with Miles Mikolas getting the start for the Cardinals. First pitch is at 6:45 p.m.