Nick Castellanos knocks in six as Reds gain split with Cards
 

[September 02, 2021]   Nick Castellanos hit a two-run homer and a grand slam as the Cincinnati Reds blasted the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 12-2 Wednesday to earn a doubleheader split.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Wade Miley (22) reacts at second base after hitting a two-run RBI double against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning in game one of a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Farmer added a homer and three RBIs and Eugenio Suarez also went deep as the Reds (72-63) snapped their four-game losing streak. They gained sole possession of the National League's second wild-card slot by a half-game over the San Diego Padres.

The Cardinals (68-64), who won the first game 5-4, fell 2 1/2 games behind the Reds with their Game 2 loss.

Cincinnati starting pitcher Sonny Gray (7-6) allowed just two hits and two runs -- on solo homers by Tommy Edman and Nolan Arenado -- in five innings. He struck out three without issuing a walk.

Cardinals starter J.A. Happ (8-7) allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks in one-plus inning. He walked two and fanned none.

Edman led off the game with homer to give the Cardinals a short-lived 1-0 lead.

Jonathan India hit a leadoff double in the Reds' half of the first inning, and Castellanos ripped a two-run homer. After Joey Votto walked, Eugenio Suarez hammered a double off the top of the wall.

The umpires originally ruled that a two-run homer, but a video review reversed the call, leaving runners at second and third. Happ escaped the inning with a 2-1 deficit.

However, the Reds teed off on Happ and two relievers in a seven-run second inning.

Gray, India and Tyler Stephenson hit singles before Castellanos belted a grand slam. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt had the umpires inspect Castellano's chipped bat, which they deemed legal.

Junior Fernandez relieved Happ with a runner on and allowed Farmer's two-run homer. Fernandez exited due to an undisclosed injury after retiring just one batter.

Daniel Ponce de Leon replaced him and allowed Delino DeShields' RBI double.

In the third inning, Farmer's sacrifice fly and DeShields' RBI single made it 11-1. Arenado's homer in the fourth got a run back for the Cardinals, but Suarez hit a solo homer in the fifth to boost the score to 12-2.

--Field Level Media

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