CINCINNATI — Yadier Molina’s bases-loaded single snapped an eighth-inning tie, and the St. Louis Cardinals reached a season high by beating the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Thursday night, taking yet another series in their lopsided NL Central rivalry.
Molina’s third hit of the game sent St. Louis to its fourth victory in five games. The Cardinals (32-28) are a season-high four games over .500, tied with the Pirates for second place, 10 games behind the Cubs.
St. Louis took two of three and has won 18 of its last 22 series with Cincinnati.
The Cardinal who gets booed the loudest in Cincinnati was in the middle of another comeback. His one-out single off Ross Ohlendorf (4-5) put St. Louis up 3-2 and drew jeers. Molina has been booed regularly at Great American Ball Park since a brawl that started between him and Brandon Phillips in 2010.
Seung Hwan Oh (2-0) pitched one inning in relief of Adam Wainwright, who allowed only two hits over the first six. Trevor Rosenthal retired the side in the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances.
Molina had a double and two singles. Matt Carpenter scored twice, including the go-ahead run after opening the eighth inning with a double.
Wainwright had a rough first inning, giving up Jay Bruce’s RBI groundout and Adam Duvall’s run-scoring single. He didn’t allow another hit before leaving for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. Wainwright fanned a season-high nine.
Wainwright hasn’t had much success against the Reds. Coming into the game, he was 8-10 in 24 games against Cincinnati with a 4.51 ERA, his highest against any team except the Mets.
Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton was in the concussion protocol after being hit in the head while sliding into third base Wednesday night.
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