Paul Goldschmidt And Tyler O'Neill Daliver For Cardinals To Even Series

 

Tyler O'Nsil drove in three runs and Paul Goldschmidt continued his pursuit of the triple crown with his 22nd home run to pace the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-3 win over the Reds.

Mike Minor started for the Reds. Minor is struggling to find his form and the Cardinals took advantage of his struggles in the third inning. 

"There is a small margin for error with that lineup and Mike was just missing," David Bell said.  "He got too much of the plate to O'Neill and Goldschmidt. He got off to a good start, a good first inning.  He had to come back to the middle and they didn't miss them." 

Dylan Carlson opened with a double.  O'Neil plated him with ola single. O'Neil stole second.  Goldschmidt drove in his 1,000th career run with a single.  Nolan Arenado doubled Goldschmidt to third with no out but Minor pitched out of it with no more damage.

The Reds responded with two runs to tie the game against Steven Matz.

Sruart Fairchild took first after he was hit by a pitch.  Mark Kolozsvary forced him at second base.  Jonathan India worked a walk.  Brandceon Drury doubled into the left center field gap.  Kolozsvary scored easily but India had to hurry.  He ran through J.R. House's stop sign and beat the tag with a head first slide.  

The Cardinals continued the assault on Minor. Carlson was hit by a pitch with one out. O'Neill hit his fifth home run of the season.  Goldschmidt followed with his home run.

"I missed a lot over the plate," Minor said.  "I was trying to go to one side and they went to the other side.  My changeup was bad early on.  I was getting behind and couldn't throw my off speed for a strike."

The Cardinals added a run off Joel Kuhnel.  Arenado doubled and scored on Tommy Edman's single.

Matz retired nine of 10 batters until he chased Joey Votto's slow roller to the first base line.  He gloved the ball but twisted his ankle and had to leave the game.

The Reds put two runners on base but Junior Fernandez struck out pinch hitter Tyler Naquin looking to end the threat.

Kolozsvary hit his first career home run off Fernandez in the seventh.

"It was really cool," Kolozsvary said. I"t is something growing up you think about and dream about and for it to come true is awesome and really exciting."

"It was good to see Kolo hit his first home run," Bell said. "It is something that he will remember the rest of his life. He's worked so hard and wants to show he can stay here."

After Fernandez hit India with a pitch. The Cardinals summoned Giovanny Gallegos to the mound.  He walked Drury.  Tommy Pham forced India at third and Votto bounced out to the mound.

Ryan Helsley finished off the Reds getting the last four outs.