CINCINNATI - Most people think "13" is an unlucky number.
Reds starter Luis Castillo would say yes. And probably manager Jim Riggleman, too. But not the Cardinals.
The Cardinals pounded Castillo for five runs in the first three innings Saturday en route to a 6-4 victory and St. Louis' 13th win in a row over Cincinnati dating back to last season.
Jose Martinez hit back-to-back homers in the first inning and Yadier Molier hit a three-run double in the third, and the Reds' comeback came up short.
Riggleman must be starting to feel Bryan Price's pain. St. Louis has also won 11 straight in Cincinnati, its longest such streak since it first visited the city in 1892.
“Our record against them is not good,” Riggleman said in an understatement. “We’ve had some great games against them and we keep coming up short. I really feel like our club is close to being a respectable club.”
But he can't mean anytime soon, not with the Reds and Royals tied for the second-worst record in baseball (22-43). The Reds have had their second-worst 65-game start in franchise history. The 1934 club was one game worse.
The Reds, who were 3-15 under Price, are 19-28 under Riggleman.
While Castillo (4-7) lost his third straight start, Michael Wacha (8-1) pitched two-run ball into the sixth for the Cardinals (35-27), who have gotten over a slow start and moved within three games of first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.
The Reds are 17 1/2 games back.
“We’re playing well,” said reliever Jordan Hicks, who pitched the ninth for his first career save in three tries. “I think the future is bright.”
The Cardinals also homered three times, but it was Molina's double that silenced the boos from Reds fans and got the large number of Cardinals fans on their feet chanting “Yadi!”
Molina is a Reds killer from way back. The catcher has more homers (14), hits (118), doubles (26), extra-base hits (40) and RBIs (57) at Great American Ball Park than at any other road park. His 57 RBIs at GABP are tied with Albert Pujols for second most by a visiting player, one behind Lance Berkman.
“What a big hit,” manager Mike Matheny said. “He steps up with the bases loaded, the crowd is booing — I don’t know, it seems to help him. This is a place where he hits very well.”
Wacha (8-1) gave up Eugenio Suarez’s two-run homer in 5 2/3 innings for his 11th career win against the Reds, tying Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn for most among active pitchers.
Wacha has allowed only seven hits in his last three outings and has held opponents to two runs or fewer in 10 straight starts.
“Everything’s been feeling good and now it’s on to the next one,” Wacha said.
STREAKIN’
Wacha is the first Cardinals pitcher to win eight straight decisions since Joe Kelly in 2013. It’s the best streak of his career.
STATS
Reds starters have lasted six innings in back-to-back starts for the first time since May 20-22. ... Jesse Winker hit a solo homer in the eighth, the first that Sam Tuivailala has allowed this season in 18 appearances. ... Jose Peraza extended his hitting streak to 12 games, the longest by a Reds player this season. Scott Schebler has a career-best nine-game streak ... Molina’s double was his 339th, tying Ray Lankford for ninth all-time in St. Louis history. It also gave him 100 career RBIs against the Reds.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: Homer Bailey will make his first rehab start Monday with Triple-A Louisville. He’s been on the 10-day DL since June 2 with a sore right knee. Bailey is 1-7 with a 6.68 ERA in 12 starts.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (3-2, 1.83) makes his second start since returning from a strained muscle in his right side. He lasted only four innings and walked five in a 7-4 loss to Miami on Tuesday.
Reds: Anthony DeSclafani (0-1, 7.20) makes his second start of the season. He gave up four runs in five innings of a 9-6 loss to the Rockies on Tuesday. DeSclafani missed all last season with a strained elbow and the first two months of this season with a strained oblique.
