Final
With a shot at a playoff spot, Cards continue set with Reds
Sep 20, 2014 - 2:41 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - On the verge of wrapping up a playoff spot, St. Louis is hoping that Michael Wacha can extended an impressive run by Cardinals starters on Saturday night in the middle contest of a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds.Wacha will get the start on a 10-day rest after struggling in two outings following an absence caused by a shoulder injury.
Wacha has lasted only seven innings in the two starts, including his last one on Sept. 9 when he gave up six runs -- five earned -- over four innings of work.
However, the 23-year-old righty is coming off encouraging bullpen sessions on Sunday and Wednesday, so he'll start tonight looking to build on his 5-6 mark and 3.14 earned run average through 17 starts this year.
Wacha is 1-1 in his career versus the Reds with a 2.03 ERA.
The Cardinals picked up a 2-1 win over the Reds last night and have a magic number of seven to clinch the National League Central, which they lead by 2 1/2 games over the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, a victory tonight and a loss by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Pirates would ensure St. Louis at least a wild card spot.
St. Louis has won six of its last seven games and has seen its starters allow one run or fewer in five innings or more over eight straight outings. John Lackey continued that impressive run with 7 2/3 innings of work last night, scattering a run on six hits with five strikeouts.
Randal Grichuk and Matt Holliday hit back-to-back homers in the first inning for the Cards before the Reds countered with a run in the second frame on Zack Cozart's single to right.
Cincinnati threatened in the ninth when Trevor Rosenthal walked a batter and gave up a single around a strikeout, prompting manager Mike Matheny to bring in Randy Choate. He struck out Jay Bruce and Seth Maness came in and got Ryan Ludwick to fly out to center.
"I think there is definitely skill in winning tight games," Lackey said. "This team has it."
The Reds, meanwhile, have scored four runs during a five-game skid.
"It's a broken record, we're just not scoring enough runs," said Reds manager Bryan Price.
Getting the start for the Reds will be Mike Leake, who has allowed three runs over six innings in back-to-back starts but with different results.
The right-hander beat St. Louis on Sept. 9, giving up eight hits and striking out six without a walk in a 9-5 decision. However, he then gave up another eight hits but also walked three batters in Sunday's 9-2 setback at Milwaukee.
"I was trying to find the zone and trying to hit spots, but it was not easy today," said Leake, who fell to 11-12 with a 3.65 ERA this year following the loss to the Brewers.
Leake is 4-5 lifetime versus the Cardinals with a 4.73 ERA.
The Cardinals are 11-6 versus the Reds this season, though lost three of four to the club in Cincinnati recently from Sept. 8-11.
- CINCINNATI: 4
ST. LOUIS: 8
Final
Sep 20 10:08 PM - Randal Grichuk doubled to right scoring Jhonny Peralta with two out. Runner on second with two outs and Yadier Molina due up.
Reds 4, Cardinals 8 Bot 7, 2 OutsSep 20 9:43 PM - Zack Cozart lead-off Home Run (4) to left. Chris Heisey due up.
Reds 4, Cardinals 7 Top 7, 0 OutsSep 20 9:18 PM - Pinch-Hitter Randal Grichuk lead-off Home Run (3) to center. Yadier Molina due up.
Reds 3, Cardinals 7 Bot 6, 0 OutsSep 20 9:01 PM - Jay Bruce sacrifice fly out to center scoring Devin Mesoraco with two out. None on with two outs and Ryan Ludwick due up.
Reds 3, Cardinals 6 Top 6, 2 OutsSep 20 8:53 PM - Matt Holliday singled to right scoring Kolten Wong with two out, advances to second on Jay Bruce's error. Runner on second with two outs and Jhonny Peralta due up.
Reds 2, Cardinals 6 Bot 5, 2 OutsSep 20 8:46 PM - Kristopher Negron doubled to left scoring Zack Cozart with two out. Runner on second with two outs and Todd Frazier due up.
Reds 2, Cardinals 5 Top 5, 2 OutsSep 20 8:35 PM - Brandon Phillips singled to left scoring Todd Frazier with one out. Runner on first with one out and Jay Bruce due up.
Reds 1, Cardinals 5 Top 4, 1 OutSep 20 8:17 PM - Kolten Wong none-out, two-run Home Run (12) to right scored Jon Jay. Matt Holliday due up.
Reds 0, Cardinals 5 Bot 3, 0 OutsSep 20 8:02 PM - Tony Cruz two-out, three-run Home Run (1) to left scored Yadier Molina and Daniel Descalso. Michael Wacha due up.
Reds 0, Cardinals 3 Bot 2, 2 OutsSep 20 7:50 PM - CINCINNATI: 0
ST. LOUIS: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 20 7:16 PM
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