Wong's slam paces Cardinals' 4-1 win over Reds
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Kolten Wong hit a grand slam that backed Lance Lynn and led the St. Louis Cardinals over the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 Monday night.
Wong connected on a 3-2 fastball from rookie Raisel Iglesias (1-3) with two outs in the fourth, putting St. Louis ahead 4-1. Wong's second career grand slam easily cleared the right- field wall, landing in the home bullpen.
The Cardinals have won six of seven, are a big league-best 64-35 record and lead the NL Central by 6 games.
Lynn (8-5) allowed one run and five hits in seven innings, improving to 7-3 against the Reds. He has won five of his last six decisions overall.
Trevor Rosenthal earned his 31st save in 33 chances after getting two days off.
Jay Bruce hit a sacrifice fly for the Reds, who have lost seven of 10.
Lynn (8-5) allowed a run on five hits and is 7-3 against the Reds, with three victories in 2014 and `13. He's won five of his last six decisions
The starting pitcher combined to hit five batters. The dugouts were warned in the sixth after Iglesias, who hit three batters, plunked Peter Bourjos for the second time. Iglesias hit two in 34 2-3 innings prior to this start. The Reds have had 46 games started by rookies.
Brandon Philllips singled to start the third and the Reds loaded the bases with no outs before Bruce's sacrifice fly. The next batter, Bryan Pena, grounded into a double play.
Yadier Molina doubled and Stephen Piscotty singled to start the fourth. Bourjos was hit, loading the bases with one out ahead of the slam by Wong -- also the 100th hit for the leadoff man.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cardinals: Molina felt ill and was replaced by pinch hitter Tony Cruz in the fifth. Cruz stayed in the game and caught. Randal Grichuk was out of the lineup after tweaking a groin on Sunday. An MRI exam showed no serious injury and manager Mike Matheny said he might get another day, too. Matt Holliday got a regular day off.
UP NEXT
Mike Leake (8-5, 3.78) is 6-9 for his career against the Cardinals but beat them in April, allowing two runs in eight innings. Jaime Garcia (3-3, 1.69) is to come off the 15-day disabled from a groin injury and make his first start since June 24.
