CINCINNATI -- Even given scant odds of making the postseason following a sweep by the first-place Cubs last weekend, the Cardinals did exactly what they needed to do in three games vs. the Reds -- win.
An 8-5 St. Louis victory over Cincinnati completed the series sweep at Great American Ball Park on Thursday night. Carlos Martinez rebounded from allowing a career-high-tying seven runs at Chicago in his previous start and pitched 6 1/3 innings for the win, while Yadier Molina and Dexter Fowler backed him up at the plate with two RBIs each.