The Cardinals' skid wiped out any hopes they had of challenging for the division title and all but ended their wild card aspirations.

Kyle Lohse (14-6) got the win in his first appearance following a five-game suspension for an incident against the Reds Aug. 17. He went 6 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and three runs.

Edinson Volquez (16-6) suffered his first loss since Aug. 5. He surrendered four runs on three hits with six walks in seven innings. The Reds had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Cincinnati produced a run in the ninth and had the tying run on first when Jason Motte came in from the bullpen to get Jeff Keppinger to fly out and end the game. It was Motte's first career save.

Pujols hit his homer in the third to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead. It was his 34th of the year.