Both Cade Cavalli and CJ Abrams set new franchise records for the Washington Nationals in a 9-1 win vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The Washington Nationals kicked off the final road trip of the season with their fifth win over the last six games after taking a 9-1 finish to open the weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cade Cavalli did not allow a run through five innings while tossing six strikeouts across 73 pitches, good enough to drop his ERA to 3.02 in 2026. Yet hours after inking his contract extension, right handed ace Cade Cavalli eclipsed the 200 strikeout mark for the first time in his career and years for the Nationals' organization. With Cavalli now sitting at exactly 200 strikeouts this season, he becomes the first pitcher since 2019 and fourth in franchise history alongside Patrick Corbin, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg to eclipse 200 strikeouts in a season. Given the extension also made Cavalli the first National to earn a contract extension since 2019, it marks an encouraging feat for the clear star in the rotation.
Cavalli opened his start by retiring the side in the first inning before allowing only two hits over his final three innings, setting the stage for the 28 year old to make likely one more start before closing the book on his 2026 season.
Yet Cavalli was not the only National to make history in Friday's win after CJ Abrams, who drew the start at shortstop before being replaced by Nasim Nunez in the eighth inning, reached the elusive 30 - 30 club. Abrams became the first National since 2006 and joins Alfonso Soriano as the only players in franchise history to record 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season, adding another chip in Abrams' favor during a career season, though also battling a slump through the second half of the regular season.
Abrams drove in the first run of the night after a single into right field was enough to bring in Daylen Lile, who got on base after a seven pitch at bat. He finished 1-for-3 in the win while extending his hit streak to five consecutive games.
The Nationals now sit 72-82 overall after already clinching its first season avoiding 90 losses since 2019, excluding the shortened 2020 season due to COVID. Friday's win also gave the team the 35th road win of the season, officially eclipsing last season's total, which was clinched in the final road game before the Blake Butera era began and just days before Paul Toboni was hired.
