Nick Lodolo's return after missing two starts was successful and Reds' relievers clipped the Cardinals' wings with a 3-1 win.
Cincinnati's bullpen was outstanding striking out seven batters to preserve the margin of victory.
Two streaks went in opposite directions. The Reds' winning streak extended to four games. The Cardinals five-game winning streak was snapped.
Paul Goldschmidt took Nick Lodolo deep for his seventh home run in the first inning with two outs.
Jeimer Candelario hit his sixth home run after missing two days with a stiff neck. Cardinal starter Lance Lynn was the victim.
Lodolo finished with 5 1/3 innings, allowing the one run on five hits and zero walks. He struck out three.
"We knew this particular injury was not going to keep him out long," David Bell said. "Just having him out there was good for our team for sure. The more he's out there the better he is going to be."
Lynn's victimhood continued when the Reds parlayed faulty fielding by the normally slick fielding Cardinals coughed up two unearned runs. 
Nolan Arenado, owns 10 Gold Gloves, but booted Nick Martini's ground ball at third base. Jonathan India and Will Benson singled to score Martini. Benson was caught stealing on a design play in which India appeared to miss the sign. Jacob Hurtubise got a hot ground ball underneath the Gold Glove of first baseman, Paul Goldschmidt, who has four Gold Gloves himself. India scored.
The Cardinals have made at least one error in 12 straight games.
Fernando Cruz struck out all five batters he faced in relief of Lodolo. Sam Moll struck out two of the three batters he faced. Cruz has entered the game with 19 runners on base and only 16 were stranded.
"I love when people are on base," Cruz said. "I love it because you bring me (in) with people on base. You have confidence in me. You have practically the result of the game in my hands. You put it in my hands. It is fun to have that responsibility."
"The ability (of Cruz) to go out for another inning was probably the key to the game from that side of the ball," Bell said. "I had zero hesitation to sending him out there. I thought there was a little adrenaline for him to go out there."
Lucas Sims faced the meat of the Cardinals order. He struck out Goldschmidt, Ivan Herrera and Arenado popped out for Sims first save.
"It was more about the importance of the game to keep the win streak going added to the adrenaline a little bit," Sims said. "I've faced those guys for quite a long time now. There is kind of that cat and mouse aspect as far as what you've done in the past. You have respect for those guys. They're great hitters but is either them or us that was coming out on top. I wanted to make sure it was us."
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