ST. LOUIS, April 20 (UPI) -- Ian Desmond drove in a run and stole home Wednesday, helping the Washington Nationals post an 8-6 win over St. Louis in the opener of a doubleheader.
Jayson Werth, Laynce Nix and Ivan Rodriguez also notched RBI during a six-run third inning while Danny Espinosa collected three hits and scored two runs for the Nationals.
John Lannan (2-1) surrendered a pair of runs on seven hits over five innings to earn the win, walking three and striking out two.
Drew Storen racked up his second save with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief after the Cards had whittled Washington's lead to two runs late in the game.
Albert Pujols hit a solo homer and Colby Rasmus added a bases-empty shot among his three RBI for St. Louis.
Cards starter Jake Westbrook (1-2) absorbed the loss, giving up seven runs and seven hits in just three innings.
