Grichuk, Wong homers help Cardinals beat Reds
CINCINNATI -- Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer and Kolten Wong added a solo shot, helping the St. Louis Cardinals avoid the sweep with a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a three-game series Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
St. Louis leads by 1 1/2 games in the battle for the second wild-card spot in the National League. The Cardinals' closest pursuer, the New York Mets, played later Sunday night.
The Reds suffered what might be a significant injury on Sunday when center fielder Billy Hamilton left in the third inning with a strained left oblique. He was replaced by Tyler Holt.
Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez (13-7) allowed two runs over seven innings. He walked five and fanned six. Seung Hwan Oh recorded his 15th save.
St. Louis (71-64) extended its franchise-record streak by homering for a 23rd straight game when Grichuk belted a two-run shot in the second inning off Reds starter Tim Adleman.
Grichuk's 21st homer this season put the Cardinals ahead 2-0.
Only the San Diego Padres have a longer homer streak this season after homering in 25 straight games.
St. Louis increased its lead when Wong belted a solo shot, his fourth, to make the score 3-0 in the fifth.
Adleman (2-3) pitched well, aside from the two homers. He gave up four hits and three runs with a walk and six strikeouts over five innings.
The Cardinals led 5-0 in the sixth when the Reds loaded the bases with one out. But Martinez got Ramon Cabrera to ground into an inning-ending double play.
The Reds broke through in the seventh on pinch-hitter Ivan DeJesus Jr.'s RBI double and a run-scoring single by Holt. Those two runs ended the afternoon for Martinez.
Cincinnati loaded the bases against left-hander Zack Duke, but Holt was thrown out by Brandon Moss attempting to score on a shallow fly ball to left field for an inning-ending double play.
St. Louis turned four double plays on Sunday.
NOTES: The St. Louis Cardinals reinstated C Brayan Pena, who was on the 60-day disabled list with left knee inflammation. They also purchased the contract of C Carson Kelly from Triple-A Memphis, designated for assignment INF Dean Anna and transferred RHP Seth Maness to the 60-day DL. ... Cardinals RHP Mike Leake threw a bullpen on Sunday in Cincinnati and could start on Tuesday or Wednesday. Leake's been on the DL since August 22 with shingles. ... Reds 2B Brandon Phillips missed his second straight game with a sore left foot. ... Cincinnati selected the contract of INF Hernan Iribarren from Triple-A Louisville and designated RHP Daniel Wright for assignment.