CINCINNATI (AP) _ Left-hander Austin Gomber took a no-hitter in the seventh
inning and Dexter Fowler hit a two-run shot in the 11th on Tuesday night,
leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Mired in a season-long slump, Fowler connected off left-hander Amir Garrett
(0-2) for only his second homer while batting right-handed.
Sam Tuivailala (3-3) escaped a two-on threat in the 10th. Bud Norris got his
19th save in 22 chances, one night after he took a loss.
For the second straight night, a Cardinals rookie went deep into the game
without allowing a hit. Daniel Poncedeleon threw no-hit ball for seven innings
in his major league debut Monday before the Reds rallied against Norris for a
2-1 win featuring Eugenio Suarez’s homer.
Gomber waited on the mound during a 7-minute, 30-second delay to the bottom of
the seventh when the ballpark’s fire alarm went off. Joey Votto singled with one
out for the Reds’ first hit, and Suarez followed with his 21st homer, ending the
rookie’s debut as a starter.
Gomber made 15 relief appearances this season before the Cardinals sent him to
Triple-A to get in shape to help their depleted rotation. He threw 90 pitches in
his first major league start.
Homer Bailey returned from his latest injury and gave one of his best
performances of the season, allowing a pair of runs and striking out a
season-high eight batters in 6 2/3 innings. Bailey has been sidelined since late
May by a sore right knee.
Bailey was so ineffective before the injury that the Reds considered moving him
to the bullpen. He’s 1-7 in 13 starts this season.
Jose Martinez singled home a run in the fourth and Yairo Munoz doubled home
another in the seventh.
ROTATION SWITCH
The Cardinals optioned Poncedeleon to Triple-A Memphis, opening a roster spot
for Gomber.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cardinals: Carlos Martinez threw in the outfield, the latest step in his
recovery from a strained right oblique. He could return to the rotation next
week if his recovery continues on schedule.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: Jack Flaherty (4-4) makes his fourth career start against the Reds.
He made the shortest start of his career last Sept. 19 at Great American Ball
Park, lasting only two innings.
Reds: Sal Romano (5-8) has faced the Cardinals twice, with the Reds losing both
games.
Game time Wednesday morning is 11:35 with the pre-game at 10:40 on KTLO-AM.
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