The St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the Washington Nationals 5-3 on Sunday, September 20, at Busch Stadium, with catcher Iván Herrera delivering the big blow — two home runs, two RBI on a 2-for-4 night — to power a comeback that erased a one-run deficit and sent the Cardinals to a two-run victory. Leo Bernal added a solo home run and two RBI off the bench, Quinn Mathews worked seven innings to keep the Cardinals in the game, and Luis Gastelum nailed down the win in relief. It was a complete team effort, and the Cardinals needed every bit of it.

Iván Herrera Powers Cardinals Comeback With Two Home Runs

Herrera was the story from start to finish. The Cardinals catcher went 2-for-4 with both of his hits going over the fence, accounting for two of St. Louis's five runs. In a game where the Cardinals trailed and needed a spark, Herrera provided two of them. It's hard to ask for more from your catcher in a close September ballgame.

Bernal contributed in a big way as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. His two RBI were the difference in a two-run game. José Fermín rounded out a productive Cardinals lineup with two hits in three at-bats, though he didn't drive in a run. The Cardinals got on-base contributions up and down the order, and ultimately that depth is what allowed them to come back.

Quinn Mathews Goes Seven Innings, Gastelum and O'Brien Close It Out

Mathews was solid without being untouchable. The Cardinals starter went seven full innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. He gave Washington enough to work with — CJ Abrams hit a home run and drove in two runs for the Nationals — but Mathews kept the Cardinals within striking distance long enough for the offense to take over.

When Mathews exited, Luis Gastelum stepped in and was dominant. He threw a perfect eighth inning, striking out two batters on zero hits and zero walks. That outing earned Gastelum the win. Riley O'Brien then came on and retired the Nationals in order in the ninth — zero hits, zero walks — to secure the save and lock up the Cardinals victory.

Washington's Bullpen Falters in the Late Innings

Jake Irvin gave the Nationals a strong start, striking out eight Cardinals batters over 5.1 innings while allowing just two earned runs on three hits and zero walks. Washington's bullpen, however, could not hold it together. Will Dion covered 1.2 innings without allowing a run, but Erik Tolman allowed one earned run in two-thirds of an inning, and Yovanny Cruz — who was charged with the loss — allowed two earned runs in just one-third of an inning on one hit and one walk. The Cruz appearance was the backbreaker for Washington.

Abrams and Brady House were the bright spots for the Nationals offensively. House went 2-for-2, and Abrams went 1-for-4 with his home run and two RBI. Daylen Lile added two hits in four at-bats. Washington generated contact but couldn't put enough runs on the board against a Cardinals pitching staff that got stronger as the game went on.

Key Performances at a Glance

  • Iván Herrera (STL): 2-for-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI
  • Leo Bernal (STL): 1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • José Fermín (STL): 2-for-3
  • Quinn Mathews (STL): 7.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
  • Luis Gastelum (STL, W): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 K
  • Riley O'Brien (STL, SV): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
  • CJ Abrams (WSH): 1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Jake Irvin (WSH): 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

What's Next for the Cardinals

St. Louis takes this win and moves forward in the final weeks of the 2026 regular season. The Cardinals showed Sunday that they can come from behind, that their bullpen can slam the door when needed, and that Herrera is capable of carrying an offense on any given night. Those are useful things to know heading into the stretch run.