Wainwright works 8 strong innings as Cardinals beat Nationals

ST. LOUIS (AP)—Adam Wainwright worked eight strong innings Saturday for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Yadier Molina had two hits and two RBIs and Wainwright also drove in a run. The Cardinals’ 4-1 start is their best since 2000, when they also won four of their first five.

Nick Johnson was 3-for-4 with his first home run and two RBIs for Washington, and Jesus Flores’ two-run shot off Anthony Reyes cut the deficit to a run in the ninth. The Nationals have lost three in a row after sweeping the Phillies to open the year.