Cards RHP Wainwright walks 1st batter in 5th start

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright has walked a batter for the first time this season, issuing a free pass to Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper.

The walk came with two outs in the sixth inning Tuesday night, in Wainwright's fifth start. He went 34 2-3 innings before throwing four balls to a batter.

Citing the Elias Sports Bureau, the Cardinals said that the team record for most innings to begin a season without a walk is 40, by Slim Sallee in 1913.

Wainwright's walk loaded the bases, but he struck out Adam LaRoche to end the inning.