Nationals End Losing Streak With Cairo’s First Win Over Cardinals

The Washington Nationals secured an 8-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, marking interim manager Miguel Cairo's first win after he took over following the firing of Dave Martinez and Mike Rizzo. Key performances included James Wood's 24th home run, Nathaniel Lowe's three-run homer, and strong pitching by MacKenzie Gore, who allowed just one run over six innings with seven strikeouts. The Nationals ended a four-game losing streak with contributions from both veteran players and those central to the team's rebuild, highlighting the importance of veteran leadership before the trade deadline. Cairo, who had previously served as a bench coach and interim manager in the majors, emphasized communication and continuing Martinez's legacy as he settles into his new role. The team's response to the leadership changes was mixed, with players taking time to process the news but showing resilience in their on-field performance. This victory provides a morale boost as the Nationals aim to build a sustainable winning team under interim general manager Mike DeBartolo.