Cardinals take the series from the Reds

The St.Louis Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon 4-2, the Cardinals have now won the series 2-1. The Cardinals have had pretty good success against the Reds in 2010, and they will now look to carry the momentum through September.

Starting pitcher Chris Carpenter was phenomenal. He picked up his 15th win of the season, and he struck out 11 batters. He gave up 6 hits in 7.1 innings, and gave up 2 runs (both earned). Trevor Miller and Kyle McClellan finished the 8th inning for Carpenter, and Ryan Franklin closed the game, getting the save. None of the relief pitchers gave up a hit.

Matt Holliday was the star at the plate. He hit his 25th HR of the season in the 6th inning off of Homer Bailey. It was a 3-run shot that made the game 4-2. Pedro Feliz got the only other RBI in the game, he got a base hit in the 5th inning, scoring Colby Rasmus. Holliday and Rasmus both had multiple hits on the afternoon; and Holliday, Rasmus, and Jon Jay all had extra-base hits.

The Cardinals are still 7 games behind the Reds in the Central Division, but they remain in the hunt. The Cards have had pretty good success against the Reds this season, and if the Redbirds can squeeze into the playoffs (via wild-card), then they should be able to beat the Reds in a playoff series. But they have to get on a hot streak, or else their season is done. It is now or never for the 2010 Cardinals.