Descalso leads Cardinals past Reds

Cincinnati, OH – Daniel Descalso had his first career multi- homer game and David Freese drove in four runs, as the Cardinals walloped the Cincinnati Reds, 13-3, in the opener of a three-game set from Great American Ball Park.

Descalso, who was one of three players with three hits for St. Louis, belted a solo homer in the fifth inning off Curtis Partch and added another solo shot in the seventh against Logan Ondrusek. Allen Craig also went deep and knocked in three runs. Jon Jay had three RBI and Carlos Beltran went 3-for-3 with four runs scored.

The Cardinals, who were overtaken by the Pirates after losing four of five in Pittsburgh, have cranked up the offense the last two nights. They ripped the Pirates, 13-0, on Thursday.

"Our guys put so much pressure on themselves offensively. It was frustrating for quite a few days. It's nice to see some energy," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said.

Shelby Miller (11-7) had eight strikeouts over five-plus innings to win for the third time in four decisions.

Joey Votto clubbed a three-run homer for the Reds, who lost for the sixth time in seven contests.

Bronson Arroyo (9-9) was shelled for eight hits and seven runs in a season- short 3 2/3 innings.

"If I would have taken him out in the second or third, we would have been in worse shape now that we would have," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of his bullpen.

Freese doubled off the base of the wall in center to score three runs with only one out in the opening inning. Jay followed with an RBI single to right.

Craig drove in a run with a single in the second for a 5-0 lead.

Miller was cruising early by striking out the side in the third, and the Cardinals received back-to-back bases-loaded walks to Matt Holliday and Freese before Jay roped a two-run double, all in the fourth for a 9-0 cushion.

Descalso homered to right leading off the fifth and Craig launched his 11th of the campaign later in the frame for a 12-0 margin.

Votto homered to left-center in the sixth, but Descalso started the seventh with a blast to right to account for the final margin.

Game Notes

Beltran is 14-for-35 in his career against Arroyo ... The Cardinals lead the season series, 7-3 ... Arroyo, who fell to 8-16 lifetime against St. Louis, had his shortest outing since July 16, 2012.