So far, so good. Reds win, 3-1.

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Homer Bailey.  Thanks to a great pitching performance, the Reds were able to begin the second half of the season with a series win over their biggest rivals, and one of the teams ahead of them in the standings.  Bailey went 7.1 innings, allowing only three hits, one of which was Lance Berkman's customary GABP home run.  He'll need to keep pitching that way for the Reds to make their move.  Honorable mentions go to Zack Cozart (two hits, including his first home run, now batting .400), and Francisco Cordero (shaking off his overuse before the All-Star Game and closing this one with a perfect inning).

Key Plays

• Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman have the most home runs at Great American Ball Park by a visiting player.  Pujols had homers in the first two games of this series, so it was Berkman's term today.  His solo shot off Homer Bailey came in the second inning.  Cardinals lead, 1-0.
• Bailey then settled down and pitched wonderfully.  Unfortunately for the Reds, Jaime Garcia was doing just as well.  In the sixth inning, the Reds got on the board.  Zack Cozart singled with one out.  Joey Votto hit a grounder to second, but Skip Schumaker's throw drew Ryan Theriot off the bag.  Cozart was safe, and Theriot started screaming and bumped an umpire.  So at least someone got thrown out.  Brandon Phillips then struck out, but a wild pitch by Garcia let Cozart and Votto advance a base.  Then Garcia uncorked another wild pitch while Jonny Gomes was batting, and Cozart scored.  Game tied.
• Miguel Cairo hit a one out triple in the seventh inning.  Somewhat surprisingly, the Reds were able to bring in a runner on third with less than one out, this time courtesty of Ryan Hanigan's single.  Reds lead, 2-1.
• Lance Lynn replaced Garcia in the eighth inning and promptly surrendered Zack Cozart's first career home run.  Reds win, 3-1.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• Cozart's home run doubled the number of dingers by a Reds shortstop this year.
• Brandon Phillips made a nice catch against Yadier Molina with two out and tow on in the eighth.
• Cairo's triple was his first since 2009.
• This was the first time Jaime Garcia has lost to the Reds.