The Washington Nationals (96-63) failed to clinch the National League East division title on Sunday, losing 10-4 to the Cardinals (86-73) in St. Louis.
Lefthander Ross Detwiler struggled on the mound for Washington, allowing seven runs (three earned) in just 2⅓ innings pitched, walking five while striking out only three St. Louis batters. Detwiler threw 81 pitches in the 2⅓ innings, just 43 of which were strikes. Chien-Ming Wang did not fare much better in relief of Detwiler, allowing three hits and two earned runs in 2⅓ innings of work.
The Cardinals received big days from veteran star Carlos Beltran and relatively unknown shortstop Pete Kozma, each contributing three hits apiece. Two of Beltran's three knocks were home runs. The Cardinals inched closer to the NL Playoffs with the victory on Sunday.
The Nationals return home on Monday night to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the last series of the season.