Somewhat miraculously, Gio Gonzalez gave up only two runs in the first five innings of his Game 1 start, despite issuing seven walks (tying his career high). Having thrown 109 pitches already, Gonzalez will give way to the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth.
Wainwright’s knocked out of game, Lynn escapes jam, Cards still up 2-1
Meanwhile, Adam Wainwright wasn't exactly economical with his pitches, but for a different reason. Where Gonzalez walked seven Cardinals, Wainwright struck out 10 Nationals. That's a 2012 high for Wainwright unless you count a game against the Houston Astros (and really, why would you?).
Perhaps more impressively, this is the first time a St. Louis pitcher has reached double figures in strikeouts since 1968, when Bob Gibson struck out 10 Tigers in Game 4 of the World Series.
Nevertheless, Wainwright didn't survive the sixth inning. With two outs and a man on first base, Kurt Suzuki hung tough and worked an eight-pitch walk. That eighth pitch was Wainwright's 100th in the game, and Mike Matheny had seen enough. He summoned ex-starter, All-Star, and 18-game winner Lance Lynn from the bullpen
Lynn walked pinch-hitter Roger Bernadina on four pitches. Lynn struck out Jason Werth on a curveball. It's the second time in the game that Werth killed a bases-loaded rally with two outs.
Now we can settle in for a three-inning battle of the bullpens.
See More:
