Cincinnati Reds' Austin Hays (12) and Elly De La Cruz...

Cincinnati Reds' Austin Hays (12) and Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrate a victory over the St. Louis Cardinals following a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in St. Louis. Credit: AP/Jeff Roberson

ST. LOUIS — Spencer Steer homered and drove in five runs, helping Brady Singer and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 on Wednesday.

The Reds (76-76) used 11 hits to take the rubber game of the three-game series. They are hoping to rally into the third NL wild card in the final days of the season.

Singer (14-10) permitted two runs, one earned, and three hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Cincinnati went ahead to stay in the fourth. Sal Stewart and Elly De La Cruz each drew a one-out walk against Andre Pallante (6-15) before Steer connected for his 18th homer.

Steer collected his third hit when he drove in two runs with a single off Matt Svanson in the seventh, giving the Reds a 6-2 lead.

Alec Burleson hit his 18th homer for St. Louis in the first. The Cardinals (74-79) finished with five hits.

Pallante allowed four runs and six hits in five innings. He is 0-8 in his last nine starts.

Cincinnati Reds' Emilio Pagan (15) and Jose Trevino celebrate a...

Cincinnati Reds' Emilio Pagan (15) and Jose Trevino celebrate a victory over the St. Louis Cardinals following a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in St. Louis. Credit: AP/Jeff Roberson

The Cardinals went 7-6 against the Reds in the season series.

Key moment

Steer's 411-foot homer on a 95.2 mph fastball from Pallante had an exit velocity of 106.1 mph.

Key stat

Singer is 5-1 with a 1.94 ERA in his last seven starts. His 14 wins are a career high.

Up next

Reds: RHP Hunter Greene (6-4, 3.01 ERA) starts on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Gorman removes his helmet after striking...

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Gorman removes his helmet after striking out to end the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in St. Louis. Credit: AP/Jeff Roberson

Cardinals: RHP Sonny Gray (13-8, 4.43 ERA) starts on Friday in the opener of a weekend series against the NL Central-leading Brewers.

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