CINCINNATI (AP) – Dexter Fowler delivered again, getting three hits and driving in two runs as the St. Louis Cardinals overcame Scott Schebler’s two home runs to beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 Thursday night for a three-game sweep.
The Cardinals are now 1 1/2 games behind Colorado for the second NL wild-card spot and five games behind the Central-leading Chicago Cubs.
Fowler went 7 for 13 with two home runs and six RBIs in the series. Yadier Molina drove in two runs as the Cardinals completed their first sweep in Cincinnati since 2010.
Carlos Martinez (12-11) lasted 6 1/3 innings on a muggy night with a gametime temperature of 85 degrees, allowing four runs and nine hits.
Homer Bailey (5-9) became the third consecutive Reds starter to be lifted without getting through five innings.
St. Louis begins a weekend series in Pittsburgh Friday night. Michael Wacha (12-8) starts for the Cardinals while Ivan Nova (11-14) goes for the Pirates. Game time is 6:05 with the pre-game at 5:10 on KTLO-AM.
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