Cardinals’ nightmare ends with 9-2 win over Reds

CINCINNATI The Cardinals’ nightmare of the last 10 games (eight losses) is over.

Having overcome a 2-0 deficit with two runs in the fifth and going ahead on Tommy Pham’s two-run homer in the sixth, they scored five runs in the eighth, sparked by Matt Adams’ pinch homer, to ride to a 9-2 victory Sunday over the Cincinnati Reds, who had won the first three games of this four-game series.

Starter Michael Wacha, who allowed three hits and four walks but only two runs in six innings, raised his record to 16-5.

Besides the reappearance of timely hitting, the Cardinals’ defense was exceptional as Jason Heyward saved a catch by going over the right-field wall to pull back a homer and catcher Yadier Molina finally threw out National League base stealing leader Billy Hamilton when the game still was in doubt.

Hamilton had swiped 10 in a row against Platinum and Gold Glove catcher Molina.

Right-handed reliever Matt Belisle, who had been on the disabled list for 2 1/2 months with an elbow ailment, pitched the ninth, hitting a batter and walking another before getting the final out.

The Cardinals, ahead 4-2, jumped rookies Carlos Contreras and Josh Smith in the eighth to give them a rare (lately) blowout win.

Kolten Wong, who had two hits, doubled and came home on a wild pitch and Tucker Barnhart passed ball. Heyward’s second double of the game chased in Stephen Piscotty, who had walked.

Molina greeted Smith with a run-scoring single and Adams smoked a 423-footer to right center.

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