Joey Votto tied his career high with four hits. It was the 10th time that he has had a four-hit game.
Wilson Valdez contributed three hits, including a pair of bunt singles while filling in for Brandon Phillips.
Valdez tied the game on a bunt single with two outs in the fifth inning. St. Louis starter, Jaime Garcia couldn't get to the ball as Votto scored.
Johnny Cueto had a span of three batters in which he wasn't his dominating self. Garcia fouled off some tough pitches before he singled sharply up the middle. Rafael Furcal tripled down the right field line and Jon Jay hit his first home run to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
The Reds had Garcia on the ropes but couldn't come up with the big blow until Valdez delivered the sucker punch with the bunt.
Votto doubled home Drew Stubbs in the bottom of the third and when time was called. Zack Cozart was on third with no outs. Garcia struck out Ryan Ludwick and Jay Bruce, then got Miguel Cairo to ground out to wiggle out of that jam.
The Reds had 11 hits off Garcia, including three in the second inning but Cairo's double play ground ball helped Garcia escape that mess.
He couldn't escape the fifth. Zack Cozart and Votto singled to start the fifth. Ludwick walked to load the bases. Jay Bruce delivered Cozart with a sacrifice fly. but Cairo fouled out. Valdez bunt tied the game.
The bullpens dueled to a draw until the ninth with Aroldis Chapman throwing two very strong innings. He allowed a single but struck out five of the seven batters he faced to pick up the win.
Votto put the Cardinals in immediate danger with a double to the left field corner off Marc Rzepczynski. Cardinals first year manager ordered Ludwick walked intentionally. Rzepczynski struck out Bruce for the second out. Chris Heisey batted for Chapman.
Matheny brought in Fernando Salas.
Heisey took a called strike then drilled a line drive between the left fielder and center fielder to give the Reds the victory.
St. Louis won just one game at Great American Ball Park in 2011 but had the last laugh by winning the World Championship as a Wild Card team. St. Louis won the first two games of the series to exceed its win total in Cincinnati from last season. This time, at least in this series the Reds had the last laugh.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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