Randal Grichuk watches his home run leave the park (photo/MLB)

Randal Grichuk watches his home run leave the park (photo/MLB)

Matt Carpenter continued his hot streak when he tied Wednesday night’s game with a solo homer in the eighth, and rookie Randal Grichuk hit a solo shot in the 13th inning off Dylan Axelrod, rallying the Cardinals to a 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds.  Grichuk also doubled home a run in the sixth inning and extended his hitting streak to eight games.

Carpenter also hit his 15th homer of the season and has gone deep five times in the last six games, while raising his batting average 11 points in the last ten.

Seth Maness (4-1) pitched two innings, completing an impressive night by the bullpen that shutdown the Reds over the final eight innings.

Carlos Martinez got burned by an error and walks as the Reds picked away at him for a 3-0 lead. Cincy loaded the bases in the third with a walk, infield single and error by shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Brayan Pena’s double made it 2-0.  The Reds loaded the bases again in the fourth with a pair of walks and Brandon Phillips’ single just out of the reach of second baseman Kolten Wong. Todd Frazier’s groundout scored the Reds’ other run.