Reds get 3-run homer from De La Cruz and outlast Cardinals 7-6 in 11 innings to split doubleheader

Home plate umpire John Tumpane looks on as Cincinnati Reds'... — Home plate umpire John Tumpane looks on as Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer, right, is safe as he dives into home plate to score the game winning run on a single hit by Blake Dunn as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pagés, center, follows with the late tag in the eleventh inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 23, 2026. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster

By The Associated PressUpdated May 24, 2026 12:03 am

CINCINNATI — Spencer Steer scored the winning run in the 11th inning with a headfirst slide on Blake Dunn's one-hopper to shortstop, and the Cincinnati Reds outlasted the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 to split their day-night doubleheader Saturday.

Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run homer and Nathaniel Lowe launched a two-run shot as Cincinnati took a 5-1 lead in the fifth. But the Cardinals scored twice in the ninth and tied it 6-all on a two-out RBI single by Jordan Walker, who started the comeback with a three-run homer in the sixth.

Steer was the automatic runner in the 11th and he advanced from second to third on a sacrifice bunt by P.J. Higgins. After a walk to Dane Myers put runners at the corners, Dunn sent a one-hopper up the middle.

With the infield playing in, strong-armed shortstop Masyn Winn made a lunging stop to his left and a spinning throw to the plate, where catcher Yohel Pozo scooped the ball on a short hop. But he couldn't get his tag back down in time to get Steer, and a replay review upheld the safe call.

Dunn was credited with an RBI on a fielder's choice. He also prevented the go-ahead run from scoring in the top of the inning with a sliding catch in shallow right field.

In the opener, Bryan Torres hit a two-run homer and singled in his major league debut to help the Cardinals win 8-1.

De La Cruz clocked his 12th home run of the year in the nightcap, and Lowe homered in both ends of the twinbill.

Home plate umpire John Tumpane calls Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer,... — Home plate umpire John Tumpane calls Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer, right, safe as he dives into home plate to score the game winning run on a single hit by Blake Dunn as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pagés, center, follows with the late tag in the eleventh inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader in Cincinnati, Saturday, May 23, 2026. Credit: AP/Carolyn Kaster

Myers added a pinch-hit RBI double in the sixth to put the Reds up 6-4.

Pierce Johnson (2-1) pitched two perfect innings for the win after Tony Santillan squandered a two-run lead in the ninth, his third blown save this season. Pinch-hitter José Fermín homered to bring the Cardinals within one before Walker’s single tied it.

Riley O’Brien (3-2) took the loss despite getting four outs without giving up a hit.

The Reds earned their first win in a game started by someone other than Chase Burns or Andrew Abbott since April 25. They are 2-10 in division play.