CINCINNATI – Ryan Ludwick led off the bottom of the 10th inning with a full-count homer that barely cleared the wall in left field, sending the Cincinnati Reds to their fifth straight win on Saturday, 3-2 over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cincinnati's surge has moved it back into first place in the NL Central. The Reds have matched their season high at 11 games over .500.
Ludwick, a former Cardinal, got two strikes to start his at-bat against Victor Marte (2-2), fouled off three pitches, then worked the count full. He connected for his 13th homer, flinging his helmet away before jumping into the pile of teammates at home.
Yadier Molina homered for St. Louis, which left the bases full in the eighth.
Sam LeCure (3-2) pitched the 10th to get the win.
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