Cards edge Reds

Cards edge Reds

STL moves into second Wild Card slot with win

MLB.com

CINCINNATI — Despite squandered chances to pad their lead early, the Cardinals clung to the advantage they built with a four-run first inning to even their series against the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday night. With Stephen Piscotty's fifthinning homer providing the necessary insurance, the Cardinals nabbed a 54 victory that inched them past the Marlins and into sole possession of the second National League Wild Card spot.

There were a combined 68 pitches thrown to 16 batters in the first inning, though the Cardinals came out of it with a 4-2 lead. Brandon Moss delivered a key two-run double and Greg Garcia added a two-out RBI single as St. Louis sent nine batters to the plate against Reds starter Cody Reed.

Cincinnati took two of those back after it opened the bottom half of the frame with three straight singles off Cardinals starter Michael Wacha.

Wacha settled in from there and allowed two hits over the next four innings. He, like Reed, turned the game over to the bullpen after a fiveinning performance.

Just before Reed departed, Piscotty crushed one of his first-pitch fastballs for his 15th home run of the season. It came one pitch after Reds right fielder Scott Schebler robbed Jedd Gyorko of a solo shot.

The Reds pulled to within one during an eventful sixth inning that featured a pair of replay reviews.

Cardinals reliever Matt Bowman surrendered RBI singles to Brandon Phillips and Ivan De Jesus Jr. The three relievers to follow him — all of whom struggled during Tuesday's bullpen blowup — threw a scoreless inning.

By Jenifer Langosch and Kevin Goheen