Paul DeJong homers again after promotion, Cards top Nats

WASHINGTON (AP) — Paul DeJong homered for the second straight day after ending a minor league demotion, Andre Pallante pitched into the ninth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 5-0.

Corey Dickerson also homered for the Cardinals, who broke the game open in the fourth inning against starter Josiah Gray. Washington star Juan Soto was 0 for 3 with a walk. Soto is one of several Nationals who could be dealt before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Washington has the worst record in the majors at 35-68 and went 6-19 in July. An All-Star in 2019, DeJong was demoted to Triple-A Memphis in May after hitting .130 with one home run in 24 games