Cardinals 4, Nationals 1: Matt Adams belted the tiebreaking homer for the second time in as many nights to lift host St. Louis over Washington.

Allen Craig had two hits and an RBI, Matt Carpenter added a run-scoring single and starting pitcher Shelby Miller doubled and scored to help the Cardinals win for the fifth time in six games. Randy Choate (1-2) retired the only batter he faced for the win and Trevor Rosenthal worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth for his 19th save.

Jayson Werth had an RBI double for the Nationals, who have collected only six hits in the first two games of the series en route to their third consecutive defeat. Stephen Strasburg (6-5) had his three-start winning streak halted, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five over 6 2/3 innings.

Adams, who came off the disabled list Friday and homered in St. Louis' 1-0 victory, led off the bottom of the seventh by driving a low fastball from Strasburg into the bullpen in right for a 2-1 lead. The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the inning as reliever Drew Storen walked Matt Holliday with the bases loaded and Craig reached on an infield single.

The Nationals, who were held to two hits in the series opener, matched that total in their first at-bat when Anthony Rendon singled and scored on Werth's double to right field. Miller ignited a two-out rally in the third with a double to right - the first hit off Strasburg - and scored when Carpenter followed with a single to center.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Miller, who gave up one run and four hits over 6 2/3 innings, has permitted only two runs in 24 2/3 career frames against Washington. ... Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright, who is tied for the National League lead with nine wins, will be scratched from his scheduled start Monday due to tendinitis in his right elbow but is expected to be back on the mound next Saturday. ... Nationals OF Bryce Harper, who underwent surgery after tearing a ligament in his left thumb in late April, will swing a bat and play light catch next week.