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Reds hit Wainwright hard again, beat Cardinals 7-2

Sports

September 2nd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

CINCINNATI (AP) — Shin-Soo Choo and Joey Votto homered as Cincinnati roughed up Adam Wainwright for the second start in a row Monday, leading Mat Latos and the Reds to a 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a four-game series between the NL Central rivals. Latos (14-5) gave up four hits in his first complete game of the season.

The Cardinals took two of three in St. Louis last week, the only loss coming when the Reds tagged Wainwright (15-9) for nine runs in a career-low two innings. They had his number again on Monday, piling up six runs and 10 hits in six innings.

Cincinnati now trails the Cardinals by 2½ games. St. Louis opened the day tied with Pittsburgh for first place. The Reds maintain a comfortable lead for the final NL wild-card spot.