CINCINNATI (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a three-run, first-inning homer, Luken Baker added a three-run double and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Cincinnati 9-4, dropping the Reds 1 1/2 games back for the NL’s final wild card berth.
Nolan Arenado had three hits and snapped a career-long 11-game streak without an RBI.
The Cardinals have won four of five and scored five or more runs for the sixth straight game.
Cincinnati led the NL Central at 59-49 at the start of August but is 14-21 since.
The Reds (73-70) trail Arizona (74-68) and Miami (73-68) for the last wild card.