Joey Votto homered and had four hits, showing no rust from a six-game absence due to a sore neck, and helped the Reds rally after blowing a four-run lead to reclaim first place in the NL Central. The Cardinals won the opener of a three-game series Monday to tie for the lead.
Cueto, who had 37 strikeouts in 34 innings in May, failed to strike out a batter for the first time in 72 career starts. He blew leads of 7-3 and 3-0, finally leaving after giving up a walk and three singles to start the sixth.
He was charged with eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings.
Enerio Del Rosario (1-0), recalled from Triple-A Louisville earlier in the day, finished the sixth after allowing two inherited runners to score, but earned his first career victory.
Francisco Cordero worked the ninth for his 16th save in 19 chances.
Dennys Reyes (2-1) retired only one of four hitters in the seventh and was charged with two runs. Entering the game he had allowed one run in 16 2-3 innings on the season, an 0.54 ERA.
Rolen hit a three-run homer in the first and he and Votto connected on consecutive pitches in the third off rookie starter P.J. Walters. Rolen has three multihomer games this season after none in 2007-09.
The Cardinals left the bases loaded in the seventh against Arthur Rhodes, who has allowed one run in 21 2-3 innings this season. He allowed a hit and two walks before extending his scoreless streak to 19 2-3 scoreless innings, tied with Detroit's Jose Valverde for the majors' longest current run.
