Cardinals pounds Reds, 10-2

ST. LOUIS The Cardinals continued to put a rough couple of days in Chicago behind them, drubbing the Cincinnati Reds, 10-2, Wednesday at Busch Stadium.

The victory represented a sweep of the reeling Reds (63-88) and the fourth for the Cardinals (96-56) since they lost the first two games of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

In the big picture, the National League Central leaders have won eight of their last 10. Pending the outcome of second-place Pittsburgh’s game with Colorado, the Cardinals’ magic number shrunk to seven with 10 games remaining. The third-place Cubs, lost 4-1 at home to Milwaukee.

The evening could not have gone any better for a team that is hoping for several players to recapture form.

Randal Grichuk, who had been one for his last 11 since hitting a monstrous home run in his initial return, hit his 17th homer in the second inning. Grichuk is trying to re-establish himself after missing time with an elbow injury.

Matt Holliday was in left field and batting third, his first start since July 19, or since he re-injured his right quadriceps. Holliday contributed a run-scoring double in the Cardinals’ three-run third.

Starter Lance Lynn (12-10) had struggled in recent outings, with walks mounting and his earned-run average escalating. But Lynn turned things around with six superb innings against Cincinnati. The right-hander allowed just three hits, struck out four and walked none before departing.

The Cardinals also got big production from a reliable source. Matt Carpenter had a two-run homer in the third and, for good measure, hit another two-run shot in the fifth. Carpenter has 26 home runs and 81 RBIs.

For grins, Mark Reynolds had a two-run double, Matt Adams contributed a pinch RBI single and Peter Bourjos hit his fourth homer of the season.

The Cardinals had 13 hits and scored runs in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh. Leading 9-0 after six innings, they turned the game into a Grapefruit League version, clearing the bench and resting regulars.

In the midst of it, Cardinals catcher Travis Tartamella got into action and singled in his first major league at-bat in the eighth.

The Cardinals finish the remainder of their 2015 home schedule by opening a four-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers at 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Michael Wacha (16-6; 3.08) will oppose Milwaukee’s Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.31).

(c)2015 St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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