Wong’s slam paces Cardinals’ 4-1 win over Reds

The Reds tacked on an insurance run in the top of the ninth to give them a 4-0 lead after Votto doubled and scored two batters later on Jay Bruce’s single into right field. “He gets in that big spot, he has a lot of faith in himself that he’s going to get that done”.

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta, left, looks on as…

Leake was able to escape the eighth with Heyward on second after striking out Matt Carpenter. The Reds have had 46 games started by rookies.

The Cardinals and Reds will finish the three-game series Wednesday at Busch Stadium.

Iglesias (1-3) said through a translator that after giving up a leadoff double to Yadier Molina in the fourth, he “tried to be ideal”. “It was one of those where you hit it and you know you hit it with everything you’ve got”.

The Cardinals and Reds remain scoreless. Cincinnati hands the ball to Antony DeSclafani who opposes the Cardinals for the first time in his career. He and Lynn combined to hit five batters, and plate umpire Marty Foster warned both benches in the sixth after Iglesias plunked center fielder Peter Bourjos for the second time.

Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia allowed a fourth-inning single off Joey Votto.

Mike Leake, Cincinnati’s pitcher, hasn’t allowed a hit through four innings.

Lynn (8-5) allowed five hits in seven innings, improving to 7-3 all time against the Reds. Jaime Garcia (3-3, 1.69) is set to come off the 15-day disabled from a groin injury and make his first start since June 24 today. He has struck out three Reds batters and walked one.

Brandon Philllips singled to start the third and the Reds loaded the bases with no outs before Bruce’s sacrifice fly.

St. Louis Cardinals’ Kolten Wong points skyward as he runs the bases after hitting a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, July 27, 2015, in St. Louis. “After the foul ball my stomach started feeling bad”, Molina said. Molina cleared the concussion tests.

“He doesn’t shy away from any situation”, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

Cardinals: OF Randal Grichuk (groin) sat a second straight day but could be in the lineup Wednesday. “It’s three more days until the deadline, and we’ll see what happens”. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto entered Tuesday night’s game with a. 526 average since the All-Star break, the best in the major leagues.