Post Game Thoughts: Nats get swept by Cardinals

In an act of revenge against his old team, middle-infielder Felipe Lopez gave the Cardinals an early 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the third. Despite the Nationals battling back to tie it up late in the game, the St. Louis Cardinals took the lead in the eighth off a game-winning Ryan Ludwick homer to hand the Nationals their fifth loss in a row.

With the defeat, Washington falls to 20-20 on the season.

St. Louis 3 - Washington 2:

-John Lannan had his best start in recent memory, allowing only two earned runs on five hits and one walk. It has been a rough stretch to start the season for the lefty, as he has struggled to make crucial outs as he has in the past. This is hopefully a sign that his elbow is regaining strength and that he's ready to carry the load for the rest of the season.

-Tyler Clippard, who leads the Nationals with seven wins earned the loss tonight after giving up Ludwick's solo shot in the eighth. The homer would have been a two-run blast had he not picked off shortstop Brendan Ryan the very pitch before the home run. Clippard has given up five earned runs in his last four appearances, while he has only given up seven earned runs all season.