Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - Rick Ankiel went 2-for-3 and knocked in the eventual game-winning run during a five-run top of the ninth to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Washington Nationals, 9-4, in the opener of a four- game series at Nationals Park.

With Chris Duncan on first and one out in the top of the ninth, Ankiel doubled down the left-field line to drive in Duncan. St. Louis didn't stop there, adding four more runs in the frame to pad its lead.

Ankiel had two RBI and a run scored for the Cardinals, who have won two in a row and their previous three series. Albert Pujols went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer. Pinch-hitter Brian Barden had an RBI, while Tyler Greene went 1-for-5 with an RBI and run scored in his major league debut.

Mitchell Boggs tossed six innings, allowing four runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and two walks to pick up a no-decision for St. Louis. Chris Perez (1-1) recorded the final two outs in the eighth to collect the win.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run homer to extend his league-leading hitting streak to 19 games for the Nationals, who have lost six of their past eight games. Jesus Flores went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. Anderson Hernandez had the other RBI.

Daniel Cabrera gave up three runs on four hits in a six-inning start to pick up a no-decision for Washington. Julian Tavarez (0-2) recorded just one out in the top of the ninth before being pounded for five runs -- two earned -- on two hits.

Tavarez took the mound for the Nationals in the top of the ninth. After Pujols grounded out, Tavarez issued a walk to Duncan. Ankiel then popped the eventual game-winning hit just inside the left field line to knock in Duncan. Joe Thurston was issued a free pass and Jason LaRue was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Greene hit a soft single to third that was misplayed by Zimmerman. Ankiel and Thurston were both able to score on the play due to an error by catcher Flores. Joel Hanrahan took over on the hill and was called for a balk, scoring LaRue and moving Greene to second. Greene stole third with Barden batting. Barden's sacrifice fly drove in Greene.

P.J. Walters pitched a scoreless home half of the inning to seal the victory for St. Louis.

Trailing 3-2, the Nationals used a two-out rally to score twice in the sixth to take a 4-3 edge. Austin Kearns was hit by a pitch and scored on a Flores triple to center. Hernandez followed with a double to right to knock in Flores. Boggs prevented further damage by getting pinch-hitter Willie Harris to ground out.

St. Louis plated a run in the seventh to knot the game at four. Mike Hinckley took over on the hill for Washington to start the seventh. Hinckley got Skip Schumaker to ground out, but gave up a walk to pinch-hitter Ryan Ludwick. Logan Kensing then came on to replace Hinckley and gave up a single to Pujols. Kensing walked Duncan to load the bases. Ankiel followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Ludwick.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on Pujols' two-run home run. Colby Rasmus walked following a Schumaker groundout to lead off. A pair of wild pitches from Cabrera allowed Rasmus to advance to third. Pujols then drove a 3-1 fastball over the left-field wall..

Washington responded with a two-run shot from Zimmerman in the home half of the frame to tie the tilt. After Cristian Guzman went down swinging, Nick Johnson singled to left field. Zimmerman then belted a 0-1 slider over the right-center field wall.

St. Louis plated a run in the fifth to go ahead 3-2. Schumaker doubled to right field, advanced to third on a wild pitch from Cabrera, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Rasmus.

Game Notes

The Cardinals went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position, while the Nationals went 1-for-4 with RISP...St. Louis won five of six meetings with Washington last season...The Cardinals placed shortstop Brendan Ryan on the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. St. Louis recalled infielder Greene from Memphis (PCL).