Lynn, Peralta lead Cardinals to sweep of Reds
ST. LOUIS - Lance Lynn beat Cincinnati for the third straight time, Jhonny Peralta hit a bases-clearing double and the St. Louis Cardinals topped the Reds 7-3 Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.
Reds starter Johnny Cueto (15-7) was off-kilter from the get-go and missed a chance to become the majors' first 16-game winner. He allowed five runs in five-plus innings, and his seven-game winning streak ended.
The Cardinals have won eight of nine and swept the Reds at home for the first time since Sept. 26-28, 2008. Cincinnati has lost 10 of 12, with Cueto getting the two wins.
Jon Jay had three hits, scored twice and was plunked by a pitch for the sixth time in six games for St. Louis. He is batting .514 (18 for 35) during a 12-game hitting streak, and has been hit by a pitch a majors-leading 16 times.
Lynn (14-8) gave up four singles and was set to pitch the eighth leading 5-0 before a 58-minute rain delay ended his outing.
The Reds scored three times in the ninth, and Trevor Rosenthal got two outs for his 37th save in 42 chances.
Brandon Phillips got his first hit of the series, a single in the Reds seventh for the 1,500th of his career. Pinch-hitter Kris Negron had an RBI infield hit in the ninth.
Cueto had numerous mound conferences with catcher Bryan Pena and was pulled after walking Lynn on four pitches to load the bases with none out in the sixth.
Cueto had been 7-0 with a 2.24 ERA in his previous eight starts, including 3-0 this month. But matched his shortest outing of the year and season high with four walks, plus hit two batters.
Jay singled and scored on Matt Holliday's double in the third. Jay reached on a two-out infield hit in the fifth, leading to Peralta's three-run double.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Reds: RHP Carlos Contreras gave up two runs and got two outs in the eighth. He was taken out after a misstep on a pitch after play resumed. ... Closer Aroldis Chapman missed the first two games with a sore left shoulder and played catch Wednesday.
Cardinals: C Yadier Molina, recovering from a torn ligament to his right thumb, took swings for the first time indoors. He's been throwing in pregame workouts for a few days.
UP NEXT
Reds: Rookie LHP David Holmberg (0-0, 16.88) makes his second career start to open a four-game series Thursday at home against Atlanta.
Cardinals: After a day off, RHP Adam Wainwright (15-7, 2.40) will flip spots with Shelby Miller and start on regular rest Friday night at Philadelphia.