Cardinals Pummeled By Reds

The St. Louis Cardinals became only the third team this season to lose a series in Cincinnati yesterday as they dropped a 12-2 decision to the Reds to lose 3 out of 4 at Cinergy Field. Only the Pirates and Marlins had lost sets to the Reds in Cincinnati before the Cardinals visit. Rookie lefthander Bud Smith (3-2) allowed six earned runs on twelve hits in 5 2/3 innings to take the loss. St. Louis falls four games out of first in the National League Central race as first-place Houston beat Philly 2-1 in 11 innings.