Dakota Hudson allowed just one hit in six innings and the St. Louis Cardinals backed him with four home runs to beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-1 on Saturday night.
Harrison Bader hit a three-run homer and Matt Carpenter and Paul Goldschmidt added solo drives in the sixth as the Cardinals broke it open.
Brad Miller also homered for St. Louis.
Hudson (3-2) won his third consecutive decision and second this season over Cincinnati. He didn’t allow a hit through his first five innings. Hudson struck out four and walked four.
The Cardinals struck for two runs in the fourth to chase rookie Tejay Antone (0-2). Miller led off with a homer and another run scored on Matt Wieters‘ grounder.
The Reds, who were checked on just three hits, scored their lone run in the third. Hudson issued three consecutive walks before Shogo Akiyama drove in a run on a fielder’s choice. Hudson got Nick Castellanos to hit into an inning-ending double play to quell the threat.
Reds star Joey Votto was ejected in the ninth after being called out on strikes.
RHP Carlos Martinez goes for the Cardinals Sunday afternoon, 12:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 1:15 on KIRX.