Cincinnati struck first, getting back-to-back homers from Joey Votto and Adam Duvall with two outs in the first. Votto's opposite-field blast into the Reds bullpen, came just one after the Cardinals got an umpire's call overturned that resulted in Jose Peraza being ruled out with a caught stealing at third base. On the next pitch, Votto connected for his 27th homer of the season.
It was the team-leading 32nd long ball of 2016 for Duvall.
At the start of the second inning, Michael Wacha replaced Jaime Garcia.
The first Reds hitter to face Wacha, rookie outfielder Steve Selsky, also went deep, giving Cincinnati a 3-0 lead.