Allen Craig’s first career grand slam came in the seventh inning with the Cardinals trailing by a run. His 13th homer of the season helped push his club past the Cincinnati Reds with an 8-6 victory. The win also moves the Cardinals into sole possession of first place in the NL Central.
Matt Holliday also blasted a three-run homer, his 18th of the season. That came in the third inning after the Cardinals fell behind 4-0. Holliday’s ball landed in Big Mac Land in the upper deck of left field at Busch Stadium off Reds’ starter Mike Leake.
Zack Cozart tripled and doubled, driving in three runs for the Reds. He scored two on his triple in the second off starter Tyler Lyons, who went five innings, allowing four runs, but only one was earned. Lyons also struck out seven.
Cozart increased the Reds lead with a double in the sixth off rookie Carlos Martinez (1-1) for a 5-3 lead, before the big five-run rally in the seventh.
Jon Jay drove in a run with a bases-loaded grounder off Manny Parra (1-3). J.J. Hoover then came in and walked Holliday on a full-count pitch and Craig drove the first pitch over the wall in right.