The Cincinnati Reds edged the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 in 11 innings on Saturday afternoon, splitting a day-night doubleheader at Great American Ball Park and earning a much-needed victory in extra innings.
Spencer Steer scored the decisive run with a headfirst slide across home plate on a one-hopper to shortstop by Blake Dunn, capping a dramatic finish after the two clubs had traded leads throughout the nightcap. The win improved Cincinnati's record in games not started by Chase Burns or Andrew Abbott, marking their first such victory since April 25.
Elly De La Cruz provided early power with a three-run homer in the fifth inning, while Nathaniel Lowe added a two-run blast as the Reds built a 5-1 advantage. Lowe homered in both games of the twinbill, giving him a strong showing across the doubleheader.
The Cardinals refused to go away quietly. Jordan Walker ignited a comeback with a three-run homer in the sixth, and the visitors scored twice in the ninth before tying the game at 6-6 on a two-out RBI single by Walker himself. According to the game account, Walker started the late rally that forced extra innings.
In the 11th, Steer began as the automatic runner at second base. He advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by P.J. Higgins before Dane Myers drew a walk to put runners at the corners. Dunn then hit a one-hopper up the middle that shortstop Masyn Winn lunged to stop before firing a spinning throw to catcher Yohel Pozo, who could not apply the tag in time.
Replay review upheld the safe call at the plate, crediting Dunn with an RBI on the fielder's choice. Dunn also made a sliding catch in shallow right field earlier in the inning to prevent the Cardinals from taking the lead.
Pierce Johnson earned the win after tossing two perfect innings in relief. Tony Santillan had blown a two-run lead in the ninth, his third blown save of the season. José Fermín homered as a pinch hitter to bring St. Louis within one before Walker's tying single.
Riley O'Brien took the loss for the Cardinals despite retiring four batters without allowing a hit. The opener had gone the other way, with Bryan Torres hitting a two-run homer and adding a single in his major league debut to help St. Louis win 8-1.
De La Cruz's homer was his 12th of the season. Myers contributed a pinch-hit RBI double in the sixth that gave the Reds a 6-4 lead at one point.
The Reds are now 2-10 in division play this season. The split leaves both clubs looking to gain ground in the National League Central as the series concludes Sunday.
Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who carries a 2-2 record and 4.70 ERA, is scheduled to face Reds right-hander Brady Singer, who is 2-4 with a 6.26 ERA, in the finale.
Officials noted the physical play at the plate in the 11th inning highlighted the intensity of the matchup between the two Midwest rivals. The game featured multiple lead changes and strong relief pitching that kept the outcome in doubt until the final moments.
Attendance and weather details were not immediately available, but the contest extended well into the evening under the lights at the downtown Cincinnati ballpark. Fans who stayed for the full doubleheader witnessed 18 total runs across the two games and several standout individual performances.
Both teams will carry momentum into Sunday's rubber match, with the Cardinals hoping to salvage a series win and the Reds looking to build on their extra-inning triumph. The outcome could influence early season standings in a division where every victory carries added weight.