Overview

• The road win in St. Louis opened the three-game set and lifted the Reds to 75-75, marking just their second series-opening victory in eight tries.
• Rookie Sal Stewart had three hits, including a first-inning home run, and Will Benson’s pinch sacrifice fly in the eighth put Cincinnati ahead for good.
• Tyler Stephenson delivered a three-run double in the ninth, and Elly De La Cruz, moved to seventh in the lineup, reached base three times.
• Starter Zack Littell held a 3-1 lead into the sixth before the Cardinals rallied, and the game seesawed through the late innings before the Reds pulled away.
• Five teams remain bunched for the final NL wild-card berth, with the Giants, Diamondbacks, Mets, Reds, and Cardinals all in the chase.