The two teams will play the deciding contest of the five-game series Friday night.

The Nationals used four pitchers who gave up just three hits while striking out 10 batters. Washington's Drew Storen was the winning pitcher, while St. Louis' Lance Lynn was the loser.

Adam LaRoche homered for the Nationals in the second inning, while Carlos Beltran hit a sacrifice fly in the third for the Cardinals' only run.