Sports – Page 173 – St. Joseph Post Archive

24th-ranked Tigers get swept by No. 1 Florida

Posted on April 14, 2018

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mizzou Baseball lost its series finale against No. 1 Florida, 7-2, Saturday night in game two of a doubleheader at McKethan Stadium. Mizzou falls to 24-12 on the year and 6-9 in SEC play while Florida improves to 32-6 and 12-3 in SEC play. Mizzou grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, but Florida scored lone runs in the fourth and fifth innings before exploding for five in the eighth to earn the win.

Junior LHP Michael Plassmeyer took his first loss of the season, going 5.1 innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out six. The go-ahead run was an unearned run in the fourth inning following an error that turned a double from Florida CF Nick Horvath into a triple. He scored on a sacrifice fly to give the Gators the lead.

Gator RHP Tyler Dyson earned the win, improving to 5-2 on the year. He allowed one run on four hits over 5.0 innings.

TURNING POINT

Mizzou ran out to a 1-0 lead in the nightcap, getting an RBI sacrifice fly by Zach Hanna in the top of the third inning, but the Gators, as they did all weekend, immediately answered in their half of the inning. JJ Schwarz ripped an RBI double just inside the left field line, past an out-stretched 3B Alex Samples. That evened the game and Florida then grabbed a 2-1 lead in the in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by 1B Brady Smith.

Florida then scored five runs in the ninth to put the game away before Hanna hit his third homer of the season in the top of the ninth inning.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“We just got it handed to us. That’s about all I can say. They dominated us. That’s the game, you have to play nine innings. We competed well for seven innings in the first game and almost eight innings in the second game. We just didn’t finish it out. That’s the game of baseball; you have to play all nine innings and you have to play them all well. We just have to regroup and turn this thing around.”

TOP TIGERS

– Junior OF Zach Hanna tallied a SAC fly in the third inning, his third RBI of the series and sixth of the week. He also walked in the game. Hanna homered in the ninth inning for his second of the week and third of the season as well.

– Hanna hit 5-for-12 (.417) with four runs, seven RBI, two homers and two doubles over the four games.

– Junior 1B Brian Sharp drew a pair of walks Saturday, his second game this season with multiple walks.

– Junior LHP Michael Plassmeyer went 5.1 innings and allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits with six strikeouts in a tough-luck loss, his first of the season.

– Sophomore Kameron Misner turned in his team-leading 15^th multi-hit game of the season in the nightcap.

UP NEXT

Mizzou will be back in action Tuesday at home against Chicago State. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. for that game.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Garcia hits two home runs as St. Louis defeats Cincinnati 6-1

Posted on April 14, 2018April 14, 2018

CINCINNATI (AP) — After three last-place seasons, the Reds hoped they’d turned a corner. Instead, they’re off to their worst start since the Great Depression.

And there’s no telling how low they’ll go.

Greg Garcia hit two home runs for the first time in his career, powering the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-1 victory Saturday that left Cincinnati with the worst record in the majors at 2-12. The last time the Reds opened a season so badly was 1931, when they dropped 17 of 19.

“You never expect it,” manager Bryan Price said . “It’s a tough spot, but you’ve got to deal with it.”

It’s especially discouraging for a rebuilding team that’s seen attendance drop significantly while it put together three straight seasons with at least 94 losses.

“That’s the way it’s going,” said left-hander Brandon Finnegan (0-1), who made his season debut. “Everything that can do against us goes against us. We can’t find the big break.”

The Cardinals are heading in the opposite direction, winning a season-high three in a row with an offense that’s finally rounding into form. They’ve scored 24 runs and piled up eight homers — by six different players — during the first three games of the series.

Garcia had a solo homer and a two-run shot off Finnegan. He came into the game with a total of seven career homers, including only two last season. Garcia also doubled and scored on Tommy Pham’s double.

Getting a chance to start in a day game after a night game, Garcia — who usually faces right-handed pitchers — got his first career homers off a lefty.

“I hadn’t hit many home runs, so you remember most of them,” Garcia said. “I had an idea there weren’t many against a lefty, if any.”

Garcia also doubled and scored on Pham’s double as the Cardinals pulled away.

“It’s taking advantage of an opportunity — an unlikely opportunity against a left-handed starter,” manager Mike Matheny said. “He had great at-bats. It’s impressive how he stays sharp and is ready to go.”

Pham had a solid game at the top of the lineup. He singled twice, doubled, walked, stole two bases and scored two times. Marcell Ozuna had a sacrifice fly, but his hitting streak ended at 12 games.

Miles Mikolas (2-0) limited the Reds’ struggling offense to four hits in seven innings, including Tucker Barnhart’s homer . It was his best outing since signing with the Cardinals after spending the last three seasons pitching in Japan.

“It’s nice to kind of put that in your back pocket,” Mikolas said. “I’ll be in a good mood the next couple of days.”

The Reds placed their hopes for a turnaround on the top of their rotation staying healthy. The pitching staff has been sapped by injuries again this season and has given up the most runs and homers in the majors. Their 6.04 ERA is by far the worst in the majors.

Finnegan strained his left biceps during spring training. He was activated before Saturday’s game and gave up six hits, four walks and five runs in 4 1/3 innings, throwing 91 pitches on his 25th birthday.

“He wasn’t real sharp,” Price said. “He had a hard time getting things going.”

WALK THIS WAY

Ozuna drew his first walk of the season in his 66th plate appearance.

HOLLAND TIME

Greg Holland made his third appearance for the Cardinals and gave up a single during one inning. The Cardinals signed him to a one-year deal on March 31. In his last two appearances, he’s given up one hit and one walk in two innings.

GOLD GLOVE

Barnhart was presented with his 2017 Gold Glove Award on the field pregame, and fans received a Barnhart bobblehead. His homer was his second of the season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RH Luke Gregerson has made another step in his recovery from a strained left hamstring, pitching on consecutive days during a minor league rehab assignment. He got hurt during spring training.

Reds: OF Jesse Winker is expected to miss at least one more day with a sore right shoulder. He was scratched from the lineup on Friday.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (1-1) is 6-3 career against the Reds. St. Louis has won six of his last eight starts against Cincinnati.

Reds: Homer Bailey (0-2) makes his fourth start still looking for his first win. Bailey is 6-13 career against the Cardinals with a 5.86 ERA.

— Associated Press —

Missouri loses game one of doubleheader at No. 1 Florida

Posted on April 14, 2018April 14, 2018

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Mizzou Baseball lost game one of its Saturday doubleheader at No. 1 Florida, 10-2, at McKethan Stadium. Mizzou tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth before Florida broke out for one run in the bottom of the sixth and six more in the seventh to put the game away. Mizzou falls to 24-11 and 6-8 in SEC play while the top-ranked Gators go to 31-6 and 11-3 in league games.

Junior LHP Tyler LaPlante took a tough-luck loss, falling to 4-2 on the season. He went 6.0 innings and allowed just three runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Florida starter Jackson Kowar earned the win, his sixth of the season.

Mizzou and Florida will play game two later this evening with junior LHP and reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week Michael Plassmeyer on the bump for the Tigers.

TURNING POINT

After Florida took a 2-0 lead with a two-out rally in the bottom of the first, it took Mizzou until the top of the sixth inning to solve Florida starter Jackson Kowar. Mizzou used a two-out rally of its own, culminating with a two-run double by junior OF Zach Hanna in the top of the sixth inning.

But as quickly as Mizzou tied the game, Florida regained the lead in the bottom of the frame, coming on a two-out solo HR by JJ Schwarz staking the Gators to a 3-2 lead. Florida then broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring six times to put the game away. The first eight men the Gators sent to the plate in the seventh inning reached base safely.

TOP TIGERS

– Junior OF Zach Hanna hit a pair of doubles and drove in a pair runs. Over his last 11 games, he is hitting 8-for-22 with four runs, two doubles, a homer and eight RBI.

– Junior LHP Tyler LaPlante made a spot start, his second of the week and first in SEC play this season. He went 6.0 innings, scattering five hits while surrendering three runs with three strikeouts.

NOTES

Mizzou now trails the all-time series with Florida, 4-19.
Mizzou falls to 8-4 on Saturdays.
Mizzou suffered its third loss in a doubleheader this season and is now 4-3 in such games this season.
Mizzou falls to 14-8 in three-game series this year.
Mizzou falls to 6-5 vs. ranked opponents and 5-5 on the road vs. ranked teams.
Mizzou 7-6 on road and 9-8 in games away from home.

Griffons win series with shutout of Lindenwood

Posted on April 13, 2018

ST. JOSEPH – Griffon baseball (20-18) shutout Lindenwood (18-20) 8-0 to win the series. Missouri Western pitchers Jacob Miller and Preston Bailey combined to strikeout seven batters and held the Lions to just three hits in the game.

Jacob Miller shut down the LWU offense as he tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowed three hits and struck out six batters. He gave up just one extra base hit in his sixth win of the season. Preston Bailey relieved Miller in the top of seventh inning and continued the momentum. Bailey retired seven straight Lions in his 2 1/3 innings of work.

Missouri Western broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning with a Brooks Day single that scored Casey Danley. Levi Schreiner’s sacrifice fly two batters later drove in Nolan Meyer for the second run of the inning. Casey Danley slammed his sixth home run in the last nine games to provide the Griffons a five run lead in the seventh inning. MWSU added three more insurance runs in the bottom of eighth with a Will Jibas RBI double followed by a two run RBI single from Michael Miller.

NOTABLES

Missouri Western outhit Lindenwood 11-3
Levi Schreiner was 2-for-3 on the afternoon with a run scored and a RBI
Will Jibas went 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and scored a run
Dusty Stroup finished 2-4 on the day
Casey Danley recorded three RBIs and scored two runs for MWSU

UP NEXT
Missouri Western plays the final game of its five-game homestand on Tuesday, April 17 against Emporia State. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Spring Sports Complex.

— MWSU Athletics —

Bearcats lose series finale against Pitt State Friday

Posted on April 13, 2018

The Northwest Missouri State University baseball team fell to Pittsburg State, 8-3, on Friday at Bearcat Field in Maryville, Mo.
– The Bearcats fall to 20-18 overall and 15-9 while the Gorillas improve to 26-13 overall and 18-9 in the MIAA.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Northwest scored all of their runs in the first inning. Pitt State scored four in the third, two in the fourth, one in the sixth and one in the ninth inning.
– The Bearcats had three runs on seven hits with one error. The Gorillas had eight runs on 16 hits with no errors.
– Hudson Bilodeau finished 2-for-4 with one run scored and a triple.
– Landon Figg was perfect from the plate going 2-for-2 with one run scored and two walks.
– Aaron Barratt went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double.
– Kevin Handzlik was 1-for-3 with one RBI and a walk.

Key Northwest Innings
– Bilodeau started the game with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt to the catcher by Gutierrez. Figg drew a one out walk and Hassman was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Cats. Handzlik singled to right field to score Bilodeau and to keep the bases loaded. Barratt singled to the first baseman to score both Figg and Hassman to put the Bearcats up 3-0.

Up Next
– The Bearcats are scheduled to play on Tuesday, April 17, against Nebraska-Kearney in a double header starting at noon in Kearney, Mo.

— Northwest Athletics —

No. 24 Missouri drops pitchers duel at No. 1 Florida 3-1

Posted on April 13, 2018

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 24 Mizzou Baseball dropped game one of its three-game set at No. 1 Florida, 3-1, Friday evening at McKethan Stadium. The game was tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, but Gator RF Wil Dalton ripped a game-winning, two-run, two-out double on a 1-2 pitch to give the Gators their first lead, one they did not relinquish.

Mizzou sophomore LHP T.J. Sikkema (DeWitt, Iowa) took a tough-luck loss as the winning run was charged to him after allowing leadoff single in the eighth. He worked a season-high 7.1 innings with a season-high eight strikeouts.

Florida freshman LHP Jordan Butler earned the win, improving to 4-1 on the year, while Michael Byrne earned his ninth save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

TURNING POINT

Mizzou and Florida traded runs in the first inning, with Mizzou scoring on an RBI groundout from senior C Brett Bond following a pair of walks from Florida starter Brady Singer to open the game. Florida answered in its half of the first with a one-out homer from Nelson Moldanodo.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the eighth inning as Sikkema allowed a leadoff single to 1B Brady Smith to open the frame. After the Gators bunted Smith over, Mizzou head coach Steve Bieser went to the bullpen for RHP Andy Toelken, who retired the first man he faced. The Tigers then elected to intentionally pass Johnathan India to face Wil Dalton, who ripped the game-winning, two-run double off the wall in left. The double came on a 1-2 pitch.

QUOTING MIZZOU

Head Coach Steve Bieser

“It was quite a pitcher’s duel. We expected that going out. Their guy has done that to many teams this year. We competed hard and we just didn’t get the clutch hit. There in the eighth inning, we just left a pitch up – it just wasn’t a very well-executed pitch – and those things happen in a game. You have to give them credit. They went out and put a good swing on the pitch and that’s why they won the game.”

TOP TIGERS

– Sophomore LHP T.J. Sikkema went a season-long 7.1 innings and a season-high with eight strikeouts. He surrendered two runs on six hits and walked just one.

– Senior C Brett Bond tallied a hit and an RBI in the loss, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. He is hitting .393 with three RBI over his last seven games.

– Freshman Cade Bormet tallied his first career multi-walk game in his first appearance in the leadoff spot.

NOTES

Mizzou now trails the series with Florida, 4-18.
Mizzou falls to 5-4 on Fridays this season.
Mizzou falls to 14-8 in three-game series this season.
Mizzou falls to 6-4 against ranked teams this season and 5-4 vs. ranked teams on the road.
Mizzou falls to 7-5 in road games and 9-7 in games away from home
Mizzou scored in the first inning for the 17^th time in 34 games this season Friday. Mizzou is now 13-4 in such games this season.
Senior C Brett Bond tallied his third RBI in four games Friday. Bond extended his hitting streak to 10 games and is now hitting 11-for-25 (.440) over his last seven games.
Freshman DH Cade Bormet tallied his first career game with multiple walks Friday.
Sophomore LHP T.J. Sikkema reset season-high with eight strikeouts and went a season-long 7.1 on the mound Friday. It was his longest outing since a complete-game shutout at Tennessee on May 18, 2017.

UP NEXT

Mizzou and Florida will conclude their series tomorrow with a doubleheader, beginning at 3 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Royals’ bullpen blows another late lead in 5-4 loss to Angels

Posted on April 13, 2018April 13, 2018

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Albert Pujols homered and drove in three runs, Ian Kinsler had three hits and a sacrifice fly that scored Shohei Ohtani with the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Angels rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Friday night.

The Angels have won six straight and nine of 10. Their 12-3 start matches their best record after 15 games, set in 1979.

Zack Cozart and Ohtani, who doubled in his first at-bat, led off the eighth with singles off Justin Grimm (0-2). After Andrelton Simmons advanced the runners with a bunt, Luis Valbuena’s pinch-single scored Cozart and moved Ohtani to third. Kinsler’s flyout to center drove in Ohtani.

Blake Wood (1-0) worked a spotless seventh to pick up the victory. Keynan Middleton pitched the ninth for his third save in as many opportunities.

Pujols hit a two-run homer in the third with Kinsler aboard. Pujols’ two-out single in the seventh scored Kinsler.

Paulo Orlando had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run to lead the Royals. Lucas Duda had three singles and scored a run.

Royals starter Jason Hammel held the Angels to two runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.

Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney, who had elbow surgery last year, allowed four runs — one unearned — and seven hits over five innings in his first start. He walked one and struck out seven.

ANGELS’ PREFERRED LINEUP

For the first time this season, the Angels’ lineup included Kinsler, Cozart and Ohtani with the other six position players. Ohtani moved up to the seventh spot for the first time after batting eighth in his previous six DH starts. While Kinsler was on the disabled list, the Angels went 9-3 with Cozart leading off. Manager Mike Scioscia, however, opted to put Kinsler back at the top of the order, with Cozart batting sixth. “There was a lot of discussion of Coz staying there, but in the big picture of where we want to be in the long term, it has Ian leading off and Coz in a role hopefully with some guys on base,” Scioscia said.

ROSTER MOVES

Angels: RHP Felix Pena was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake to make roster space for Heaney.

Royals: RHP Brandon Maurer was optioned to Triple-A Omaha with an 0-2 record, a 12.46 ERA and allowing three home runs in 4 1/3 innings. He allowed three inherited runners to score Thursday on a triple by Ohtani. “I think it was obvious to everybody that the time was right,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s a better pitcher than that. He’s a guy that should be an eighth-inning guy. He’s a guy that should be able to close out games on days your closer needs a day. He’s got that really good stuff. It’s just he’s off kilter and out of whack. He just needs to go get some confidence, have some success and come back up and take that position.” RHP Kevin McCarthy was called up from the Storm Chasers.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Yost said C Salvador Perez (left knee sprain) would likely begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend. … OF Alex Gordon hit in the cages and did some soft toss in his first activity since Monday when he was diagnosed with a left hip labral tear.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Garrett Richards will make his first start at Kauffman Stadium since August 13, 2015.

Royals: RHP Jakob Junis has not given up a run over 14 innings in his first two starts.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western softball splits doubleheader with Nebraska-Kearney

Posted on April 13, 2018

ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Softball (22-23, 13-7) took a shutout win and a shutout loss on Senior Day, defeating Nebraska Kearney (14-27, 10-14) 3-0 in game two and losing 4-0 in game one of a doubleheader.

Kaili Hinds picked up her fourth-straight shutout and extended her scoreless innings streak to 26 with the game two victory. She struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. The doubleheader was scheduled to be the Griffons’ final home game, so the team’s four seniors were recognized after game two. The senior class of Riley Wilson, Barbara Billingsley, Shelbie Atwell and Rebekah Mueller has combined for 141 wins. The class was part of the 2016 MIAA regular season and postseason championship teams and advanced to the NCAA Central Region Championships each of the last three seasons.

NOTABLES

The game one loss was just the second home MIAA loss for the Griffons this season
Missouri Western is now 14-8 at home and 8-2 in conference home games
After three hits for MWSU in game one, the Griffs totaled eight in game two
Morgan Frost went 3-for-3 in game two with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored
Shelby Uhl went 3-for-4 in game two with a run scored
Riley Wilson went 3-for-5 on the day with two walks and a run scored

UP NEXT
Missouri Western’s final two home games were re-scheduled for Tuesday, April 17 against Pittsburg State. The final home doubleheader of 2018 will begin at 4 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest softball rallies to win two against Fort Hays State

Posted on April 13, 2018

The Northwest Missouri State University softball team swept a pair of conference games against Fort Hays State in Maryville, Mo.on senior day.
– The Bearcats improve to 23-15 overall and 16-6 in conference, while Fort Hays falls to 11-35 overall and 7-17 in conference play.

Game One Key Statistics (Northwest 8, Fort Hays 0)
– Northwest scored one in the first, second, third and fifth inning, and four in the sixth inning.
– The Bearcats had eight runs on 14 hits and no errors. Fort Hays State scored zero runs on six hits and one error.
– Sydne Brashear was perfect from the plate going 4-for-4 with one run, three RBIs and a homerun.
– Rebecca Maher finished 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored.
– Jaedra Moses went 2-for-4 with one run scored.
– Kaitlyn Weis was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, a walk, a double, one RBI and a homerun.
– Karli Allen went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a homerun and a run scored.
– Erin Keeney was 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk and a run scored.
– Kiana Baderdeen went 1-for-3.
– Taylor Blackford recorded six shutout innings, gave up six hits and struck out three batters.

Game One Key Innings
– With two outs in the bottom of the third, Weis hit a double to left center and Keeney drew a walk. Brashear brought Weis in with a hard single through the left side to put the Bearcats up 1-0.

– Allen led off the second inning with a solo homerun over the center field fence to increase the Bearcat lead.

– After an out, Brashear jumped on the first pitch and sent a solo homerun over the right field fence to make the score 3-0.

– Weis made the score 4-0 after hitting her 12^th homerun of the year over the center field fence.

– After an out, Maher doubled to left center, Moses singled to the shortstop and Weis drew a walk to load the bases. Keeney singled through the left side to score Maher and Moses and Brashear followed it up with a single up the middle to score Weis from second base. Brashear and Keeney both advanced on a wild pitch and Brashear came in to score on a base hit up the middle by Allen to give the Bearcats an 8-0 win.

Game Two Key Statistics (Northwest 6, Fort Hays 5)
– The Bearcats scored one run in the third, two in the fifth and sixth and one in the seventh. Fort Hays one in the first, two in the fifth and sixth innings.
– Northwest had six runs on ten hits and one error. The Tigers had five runs on ten hits and two errors.
– Weis finished the day 3-for-4 with one run scored, two RBIs, and a homerun.
– Moses went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
– Brashear was 2-for-4 and hit in the winning run.
– Allen went 1-for-3.
– Jessica Rawie was 1-for-2 with one run scored and she drew a walk.

Game Two Key Innings
– Maher was hit by a pitch to leadoff the bottom of the third inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Moses. Weis hit a single up the middle and quickly stole second to put both runners in scoring position. Keeney would then hit a sacrifice fly to left field for Maher to score easily and to tie the game at one.

– After an out, Moses singled to the catcher and Weis tied up the game with a two run homerun over the right center field fence.

– Rawie hit a two out single and came around to score on a two-run homerun over the centerfield fence by Baderdeen to tie the score at 5.

– Moses led off the bottom of the seventh with a single to left field, Weis reached safely on an error and Keeney drew a walk to load the bases. Brashear singled to center field to score Moses and give the Bearcats a walk-off win on senior day.

Up Next
– Northwest will play on Friday, April 20, against Emporia State in Emporia, Ks., at 4 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —

Molina homers, Cardinals extend Reds’ woes with 5-3 win

Posted on April 13, 2018April 13, 2018

CINCINNATI (AP) — Yadier Molina heard the boos again. Then he came through again, sending the Cincinnati Reds to their lowest point since 1955.

Molina homered and drove in three runs Friday night, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-3 victory that deepened the Reds’ opening slump and added to his legacy against them.

The catcher has gotten booed loudly at Great American Ball Park — even during the 2015 All-Star Game — by fans who haven’t forgotten his scuffle with Brandon Phillips in 2010. They boo louder every time he delivers another game-turning hit.

He’s still got the touch.

“Yadi continues to just get better,” manager Mike Matheny said.

St. Louis came into the series with a stagnant offense but broke out during two games against the worst pitching staff in the majors, piling up 18 runs and 25 hits. Molina has homered in each game, giving him a team-high five this season.

Molina’s 21 career homers against the Reds are his most against any team.

“Yadi’s being Yadi,” said Luke Weaver (2-0), who pitched into the seventh inning. “He does it so well back there and calls a great game.”

The Reds lost their sixth in a row and have the worst record in the majors at 2-11. They also lost 11 of their first 13 games in 1955. Another loss on Saturday would produce their worst start since 1931.

“We’ve been through some stretches — some challenging, difficult times with winning games over the last few seasons,” manager Bryan Price said.

The Reds managed only two infield singles until the seventh, when Devin Mesoraco hit a two-run homer off Weaver. The right-hander has beaten the Reds three times in a row, giving up a total of four earned runs. Overall, Weaver is 9-1 in 12 starts since Aug. 2.

Bud Norris allowed a hit and a walk in the ninth while getting his second save in two chances, fanning Tucker Barnhart for the final out.

Molina had a solo shot and a two-run single off Tyler Mahle (1-2), who gave up nine hits and five runs in 5 1/3 innings. The Cardinals took control with five runs in the sixth, when Dexter Fowler had a solo homer and Marcell Ozuna extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single.

“They hit some good pitches — that hurt — and I made some bad pitches,” Mahle said. “It was a little bit of both. It all just kind of blew up.”

Joey Votto was back in the Reds lineup after getting a day off, ending his streak of 202 consecutive starts. He singled home a run in the eighth off Tyler Lyons and was picked off first base by Dominic Leone.

WHAT ABOUT HOLLAND?

Greg Holland, who signed a one-year deal with St. Louis on March 31, was available for the ninth inning, but Matheny went with Norris instead. Holland made two appearances in the minors before joining the Cardinals. He struggled in his first appearance on Monday, walking four, and then pitched a scoreless inning on Wednesday.

“We’re just trying to get him some consistent opportunities,” Matheny said. “This is kind of spring training (for Holland). I know he wants to get in for those situations. He’ll get his opportunities.”

BULLPEN MOVE

The Reds helped their depleted bullpen by selecting the contract of right-hander Dylan Floro from Triple-A Louisville. Right-hander Tanner Rainey was optioned. Reliever Ariel Hernandez was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: Right-handed reliever Luke Gregerson made his third minor league rehab appearance, throwing a scoreless inning. He has been sidelined since spring training with a strained left hamstring.

Reds: Jesse Winker was a late scratch from the lineup because of a sore right shoulder. Phillip Ervin replaced him in right field.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (1-0) faced the Reds in 2012 and 2013 as a Padres reliever. He has yielded eight runs in 12 innings in his two starts for the Cardinals.

Reds: Left-hander Brandon Finnegan is expected to come off the DL and make his first start of the season. He strained his left biceps during spring training.

— Associated Press —