MLB: Cincinnati 4, St. Louis 2

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CINCINNATI, July 15 (UPI) -- Scott Rolen's two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning Sunday carried the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 win and a three-game sweep of St. Louis.

With the score tied 2-2, Joey Votto drew a one-out walk from Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook (7-8) and the St. Louis hurler followed by hitting Brandon Phillips with a pitch.

Mark Rzepczynski came in to pitch and Jay Bruce moved the runners up with a grounder back to the mound.

Mitchell Boggs relieved and intentionally walked Ryan Ludwick to load the bases, but Rolen made the Cards pay by lining a solid hit to right, scoring Votto and Phillips with the decisive runs.

Homer Bailey (8-6) notched his third straight win for the Reds, allowing two runs (one earned) on nine hits over eight innings. He walked two and struck out two.

The Reds remained tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates atop the National League Central with their sixth straight win overall.

Westbrook finished by allowing four runs on nine hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Yadier Molina went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBI for third-place St. Louis, which fell 4 1/2 games off the pace in the NL Central.