Cardinals vs. Nationals, 2012 NLDS Game 4 recap: Jayson Werth's game-winning home run forces 5th game

Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to propel Washington to a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Cardinals, forcing a Game 5 in the National League divisional playoffs Thursday.

Werth's home run, a line drive over the left field fence, came on the 13th pitch of his at-bat, the first hitter Cardinals reliever Lance Lynn faced in the bottom of the ninth.

St. Louis threatened in the top of the ninth, but Nationals reliever Drew Storen (1-0) got Matt Carpenter to pop up to shallow left field on a running catch by shortstop Ian Desmond.

The Nationals won the game with three hits -- two of them were solo home runs. Adam LaRoche hit a solo homer off Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse in the second inning.

Lohse threw seven innings of two-hit ball for the Cardinals, striking out five and not factoring into the decision.

Ross Detwiler started for the Nationals and pitched six innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits.

Adam Wainwright will pitch for the Cardinals Friday in Game 5 in Washington. The Nationals will start Gio Gonzalez