Duvall helps Reds beat Cardinals 4-2

By foxsports
Published

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Rookie Adam Duvall hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Saturday in the completion of a game suspended on Friday by rain.

Duvall's tiebreaking drive against Jonathan Broxton (2-5) was his third since joining the Reds on Aug. 31 and sent the NL Central-leading Cardinals to their fifth loss in six games.

J.J. Hoover (8-1) pitched the eighth for the win. Aroldis Chapman struck out the side to earn his 30th save.

Heavy rain forced Friday's game to be suspended in the top of the eighth inning. Pinch-runner Pete Kozma was on first base after shortstop Eugenio Suarez dropped a routine popup, the last play before umpires called for the tarp.

The teams waited out the 17th rain delay at Great American Ball Park for an hour and seven minutes before it was suspended. It was Cincinnati's second suspended game this season and first at home. Three home games have been rained out.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto struck out and walked three times. He received a two-game suspension on Friday for an altercation with umpire Bill Welke, but will keep playing until his appeal is heard.

Michael Lorenzen gave up two runs in five innings in the 42nd consecutive start by a rookie for the Reds, passing the 1902 Cardinals for the major league record. The Reds have gone with an all-rookie rotation since trading Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake in July.

Billy Hamilton got the Reds off to a nice start in the first. He reached on a bunt single, swiped second and advanced to third on catcher Yadier Molina's wild throw for an error. Hamilton then scored on Brandon Phillips' infield single.

Cincinnati catcher Ramon Cabrera added his first major league homer in the second.

The Cardinals repeatedly wasted scoring opportunities, stranding runners in scoring position during the first three innings. Also, Jon Jay was thrown out at third base while trying to stretch a double with no outs in the fourth.

Pitcher John Lackey had an RBI groundout in the second, and Greg Garcia homered in the fourth. Lackey allowed seven hits in seven innings and matched his season high with 10 strikeouts.

HE'S BACK

Hamilton's two stolen bases were his first since Aug. 18. He was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday after missing 19 games with a sprained right shoulder.