Cardinals 1 - 3 Reds
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Cards' Garcia gets nod in finale with Reds

Jul 17, 2011 - 3:11 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Cardinals have rewarded Jaime Garcia for his efforts.

Today the 25-year-old lefty hopes to build on his recent success and continue his domination of the Reds when he takes the mound in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Just four days ago, the Cardinals signed Garcia to a four-year contract with a pair of club options in a deal that was worth $27 million. He's developed into one of the best young pitchers in baseball. He made 10 appearances for St. Louis in 2008 but truly blossomed in 2010, when he went 13-8 with a 2.70 earned run average in 28 starts. The left-hander has continued to pitch well this season. Through 19 starts, he is 9-3 with a 3.22 ERA and two shutouts. He has also struck out 100 batters and walked 32 in 117 1/3 innings.

Included in that is a current three-game winning streak. He gave up two hits in six innings of a victory against the Reds on July 5 and followed that with another six-inning effort in a win over Arizona.

Garcia is 5-0 in seven games (5 starts) with a 3.82 ERA in his career against the Reds.

The Cardinals head into today's game back in first place in the NL Central, by a half-game over Milwaukee and one contest over Pittsburgh.

Chris Carpenter went eight gritty innings and Albert Pujols belted a three-run homer to lead the Cardinals to a 4-1 win last night. Carpenter (5-7) yielded just one run on seven hits and three walks while fanning seven and moved to 14-4 lifetime against the Reds.

Fernando Salas worked around a Drew Stubbs single to record his 17th save of the season.

Jon Jay went 3-for-4 and knocked in a run for the Cardinals, who have won three of four.

Bronson Arroyo (7-8) allowed four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over 6 2/3 innings.

"He started out good," said Reds manager Dusty Baker. "He had good command, good velocity and his breaking stuff was good, he just made a couple mistakes."

Joey Votto drove in the lone run for the Reds, who won Friday's series opener, 6-5, behind Brandon Phillips' walkoff two-run homer.

Homer Bailey is headed in the opposite direction of Garcia, losing his last four decisions over a five-start span. He gave up eight hits and five runs in a defeat at Milwaukee on July 7.

Bailey, who began the season on the 15-day disabled list with an impingement in his right shoulder, is 1-4 with a 6.03 ERA in seven games versus the Cardinals.

The Reds have won six of 11 over the Cardinals this season, including a three- game sweep at home from May 13-15.






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