Jack Flaherty solid in return, but Cardinals bullpen falters in 6-0 loss to Nationals

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ST. LOUIS (AP) – Jack Flaherty pitched five effective innings for St. Louis in his first big league action since June, but the NL Central-leading Cardinals had their four-game winning streak stopped by Joey Meneses and the Washington Nationals 6-0 Monday.

Meneses got three hits and fellow rookie C.J. Abrams had four to back five shutout innings from Aníbal Sánchez (2-5). Washington, which has the worst record in the majors, has won three in a row.

Flaherty (0-1) returned from the injured list after being sidelined by a right shoulder issue. In his first start since June 26, he allowed one run on six hits and a walk. He struck out six and hit a batter while throwing 91 pitches.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The 26-year-old Flaherty went 9-2 last season. He's been out for most of this year, including a stint on the IL from April 7-June 14. He made five rehab starts in the minors.

Sánchez gave up just two hits. It was his first start at Busch Stadium since he threw 7 2/3 no-hit innings in the opener of the 2019 NL Championship Series.

In his last four starts, Sánchez has allowed just two runs on eight hits in 21 1/3 innings. The Nationals have won all those starts.

Meneses is 40 for 118 (.339) since making his MLB debut Aug. 2. Keibert Ruiz homered, César Hernández added two hits and Lane Thomas drove in two runs against his former team.

St. Louis managed just three singles against three