Cardinals 15, Reds 2
Matt Adams hit a two-run homer and David Freese had a solo shot among three hits as visiting St. Louis pounded out 19 hits to take the rubber match of the three-game series.
Lance Lynn (13-5) allowed two runs on four hits in eight innings while striking out a season-high 11 for the Cardinals, who have won each of the last six series between the National League Central rivals. St. Louis remained 1 1/2 games behind first-place Pittsburgh while the Reds fell 6 1/2 back.
After RBI doubles by Matt Holliday and Freese in the top of the first inning, Adams deposited his eighth home run of the season over the wall in right field to make it 4-0. Zack Cozart belted a two-run shot in the second to halve the deficit, but Lynn retired the next 13 batters and the Cardinals broke it open with five runs in the sixth.
Matt Carpenter capped the rally with a two-run double and Freese slugged a solo shot in the seventh to make it 10-2. Tony Cruz, who singled in a run during the sixth-inning rally, hammered a solo homer and Jon Jay ended a three-hit effort with a double that scored a pair during a four-run ninth.
Mike Leake (10-5) was charged with a career high-tying seven runs in five-plus innings for the Reds. Cozart recorded two of his team's four hits.
GAME NOTEBOOK: St. Louis has scored 44 runs in its last four games after recording just 10 during a seven-game skid. ... Lynn improved to 3-0 this season against Cincinnati. ... The Cardinals open a 10-game homestand Monday against the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds have a day off before hosting Oakland.