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Molina’s error helps Nationals beat Cardinals 3-1

Sports

April 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina’s throwing error combined with Michael Wacha’s wild pitch to allow two unearned runs in the seventh inning, breaking a tie and helping Gio Gonzalez and the Washington Nationals beat St. Louis 3-1 Friday night.

Gonzalez (3-1) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings, retiring the last 11 batters he faced. He finished with seven strikeouts and one walk as Washington ended an eight-game losing streak against St. Louis that dated to Game 5 of the teams’ 2012 NL division series.

Wacha (2-1) gave up five hits and one earned run. But a night after the Nationals made three errors — they initially were charged with four, but one was changed to a hit Friday — it was the Cardinals’ turn to be sloppy.