Joey Votto, Donovan Solano and Jonathan India homered, Tyler Naquin drove in four runs and the Cincinnati Reds opened the second half of the season with a 9-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.
The Reds roughed up Adam Wainwright, Wainwright (6-8) was tagged for a season-high seven runs in 5 1/3 innings — as many runs as the veteran right-hander allowed in five May starts. He gave up five hits with three walks and two strikeouts while slipping to 0-3 over his last four starts. He hasn’t won since June 27.
Reds starter Graham Ashcraft threw a career-high 112 pitches and tied his career high with eight strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings. The rookie right-hander allowed seven hits and four runs with three walks.
St. Louis LHP Steven Matz (3-3, 6.03) is scheduled to make on Saturday his first start since May 22. He’s been sidelined with left shoulder problems, 4:45 with the pregame and the first pitch at 5:40 on KIRX.
The Brewers beat the Rockies 6-5 in 13 innings to give Milwaukee a game and a half edge over St. Louis.