Reds vs Cardinals Recap: Last-Second Win Keeps Cards Hot

The Cincinnati Reds showed up in St. Louis ready to fight. Cincinnati was struggling badly — they'd lost their last three games and sat 31-32 on the season. St. Louis felt different. The Cardinals were rolling on a three-game winning streak and owned a 34-28 record at home. You could feel the energy when the first pitch flew.

The Cardinals struck first in the second inning. Victor Scott II ripped a single to right field and Alec Burleson raced home. Masyn Winn followed with another hit up the middle that scored two more runs. Just like that, St. Louis led 3-0. Nick Lodolo was struggling early for Cincinnati. The Reds' pitcher couldn't find his control or rhythm. The Cardinals' bats were sharp and hungry. This was going to be a game.

Cincinnati didn't quit. The Reds struck back hard in the third inning when a fielding error by Burleson at first base opened the door. Marte and McLain both scored on the miscue. Myers was still on third. Spencer Steer followed with a sacrifice fly to left that brought Myers in. Suddenly it was 3-2 with plenty of baseball left.

Then came the power show. In the fourth inning, Matt McLain crushed a slider deep to left field. The ball sailed 381 feet and cleared the wall. Blake Dunn scored right behind him. Just like that, Cincinnati led 5-3. The Reds were breathing fire now. In the fifth, Jordan Walker answered back with his own bomb — a 401-foot rocket to right-center that made it 5-4. Both teams wanted this game badly.

The game stayed tight through the middle innings. Both teams scratched and clawed for every run. Then came the eighth inning. Sam Moll was pitching for Cincinnati when Lars Nootbaar stepped up. The Cardinals' slugger locked in on a sweeper and connected. The ball flew 433 feet to right-center field — a moon shot. It sailed over the wall and Jose Fermín scored right along with it. St. Louis now led 6-5 and that was enough. Cincinnati couldn't catch up in the final innings. The Cardinals held on to win 6-5. St. Louis improved to 35-28 while Cincinnati fell to 31-33. The Reds' losing streak continued. This was a heartbreaker for a team fighting to stay alive.