PHOENIX, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Ramon Hernandez hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning Thursday that launched the Cincinnati Reds to their sixth straight victory -- 9-5 over Arizona.
One night after the Reds staged a huge late-inning comeback, they jumped on the Diamondbacks early and piled on five runs in the eighth inning to build a 9-1 lead.
The Reds moved 3 1/2 games in front of idle St. Louis for the top spot in the National League Central. The Diamondbacks lost their fourth consecutive game.
After Hernandez hit his homer in the fourth, Jay Bruce produced a solo shot in the same inning.
Drew Stubbs had a two-run single in the five-run eighth and Joey Votto's double to center drove in two more.
Arizona scored four times in the bottom of the eighth, three of the runs coming in on Chris Young's 22nd homer.
Cincinnati starter Travis Wood (4-1) lasted 6 1/3 innings to get the win. He gave up a run on four hits and struck out six.
Joe Saunders (7-13) was touched for four runs on eight hits in six innings to take the loss.
