Bullpen helps Reds beat Cardinals 5-3

[June 02, 2009]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Mike Lincoln and four other Cincinnati relievers allowed one earned run in eight innings after Edinson Volquez left early his first start since coming off the disabled list early, and the Reds rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Monday night.

Lincoln (1-0) gave up only Colby Rasmus' sixth homer in three innings of relief and Francisco Cordero worked the ninth for his 14th save in 14 chances and 28th in a row dating to last July.

Volquez left complaining of numbness in the pinky and ring finger of his pitching hand after allowing a run on two hits. He will be examined in Cincinnati on Tuesday. Volquez, a 17-game winner last year, had been on the disabled list with back spasms.

Cincinnati rebounded after getting swept in a three-game series at Milwaukee and ended a six-game road losing streak thanks to a strong showing by the bullpen.

Reds relievers weren't exactly rested after Micah Owings lasted 5 2-3 innings on Sunday in Milwaukee and Aaron Harang was chased after 4 1-3 innings two days earlier.

Laynce Nix had two hits and his two-run double off Todd Wellemeyer (5-5) capped a three-run go-ahead third for the Reds, who totaled six runs the previous three games.

Rasmus singled, homered and doubled in his first three at-bats before grounding out in the eighth against Arthur Rhodes as the Cardinals lost for the third time in four games. Albert Pujols escaped injury running the bases on his first-inning RBI double, getting attention after getting his foot caught in the dirt just before sliding.

Opponents are hitting .303 against Wellemeyer, who lasted five innings and left trailing 4-2. Wellemeyer faced the minimum through three innings with the help of catcher Jason LaRue's pickoff of Brandon Phillips in the first before running into trouble. He is 2-4 with a 5.35 ERA in seven starts at home.

The Cardinals jumped on Volquez in the first with consecutive one-out doubles by Rasmus and Pujols and led 2-0 after Rasmus' homer off a 2-0 pitch from Lincoln in the third. Catcher Ryan Hanigan's first passed ball of the season handed the Cardinals a run in the seventh to cut the deficit to 5-3.

Notes: Cardinals OF Rick Ankiel was doubled off first to end the sixth when he failed to re-touch second base while retreating and the Reds appealed. ... Reds 2B Jerry Hairston, suffering from flu-like symptoms, was not in the lineup. OF Willy Taveras missed his third straight start with a tight right hamstring, but manager Dusty Baker anticipated he might play on Tuesday. ... Cardinals reliever Blaine Boyer, acquired from the Braves in mid-April after being designated for assignment, has allowed 13 earned runs in 12 2-3 innings. ... Pujols is 3 for 7 with two homers and five RBIs against Volquez. ... Pujols leads the majors with 42 walks, including 16 in the last nine games. ... Cordero has allowed one earned run in 14 innings his last 14 appearances. ... 3B Joe Thurston doubled twice and walked for the Cardinals.

[Associated Press; By R.B. FALLSTROM]

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