In the bottom of the seventh, the Cardinals missed a golden opportunity to add to their minimalist lead, when a) they loaded the bases with nobody out, and 2) Nationals reliefer Ryan Mattheus became the first pitcher in postseason history to record three outs on two pitches.

Just another day at the ballpark.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Nationals found their own golden opportunity and didn't blow it.

With St. Louis reliever Mitchell Boggs on the mound, Mike Morse slapped a grounder toward shortstop, where Pete Kozma foozled it for an error. Ian Desmond followed with a base hit that chased Morse to third. Danny Espinosa bunted Desmond to second, with Morse holding third.

Two on, just one out. But Kurt Suzuki struck out swinging while Chris Singleton, in the ESPN Radio booth, didn't shorten his swing and just try to put the ball in play.

With Chad Tracy coming up as a pinch-hitter, Mike Matheny summoned lefty Mike Rzepczynski from the bullpen, so Davey Johnson countered with pinch-hitter Tyler Moore.

The move "worked" when Moore did just put the ball in play, lofting a pop-up that fell in shallow right field, with first Morse and then Desmond crossing the plate to give the Nationals their first lead since the second inning.

Rzepczynski struck out Jason Werth to end the rally, but the damage was done. Heading to the bottom of the eighth, the Nationals are ahead of the Cardinals, 3-2.