Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) – Matt Holliday had four hits, scored a run and drove in three as the Cardinals knocked off Cincinnati, 8-4, in a game marred by a brawl between the two NL Central rivals in the opening inning.
Yadier Molina homered and drove in a pair of runs while Albert Pujols walked twice, scored twice and knocked in a run for the Cardinals, who have won the first two games of the three-game set to draw even with the Reds for the top spot in the standings.
Jaime Garcia (10-5) picked up the win after yielding four runs on a pair of hits and five walks over 5 1/3 innings for the Redbirds, who got 3 2/3 innings of shutout relief from the bullpen to sew up their fourth win in five games. Ryan Franklin was called on to get the final out and earned his 20th save.
Johnny Cueto (11-3) was tagged with the loss, his first since June 18, after allowing five runs — four earned — on seven hits with four strikeouts for the Reds, who had won seven of eight entering the series.