CINCINNATI, July 15 (UPI) -- Brandon Phillips launched a two-run, two-out homer in the ninth inning Friday to give the Cincinnati Reds a 6-5 victory over St. Louis.
The lead changed hands four times during the final three innings and Cincinnati's victory further tightened the National League Central chase. The top four teams in the division -- Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cincinnati -- are separated by three games.
St. Louis overcame a 2-0 deficit by scoring three runs in the seventh but the Reds came back in the bottom half of the inning to regain a 4-3 advantage on an RBI single from Zack Cozart and a run-scoring double by Joey Votto.
St. Louis went back in front in the eighth on a two-run homer by Albert Pujols, his 19th home run of the year, and Fernando Salas came on in the ninth for the Cardinals to protect the one-run cushion.
Chris Heisey, who hit two solo homers early in the game, struck out to open the ninth. Cozart then singled and, after Votto flew out, Phillips hit a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left-center to win it.
It was the third blown save in 19 opportunities for Salas (5-3), who was the eighth St. Louis pitcher of the contest.
The win went to Logan Ondrusek (4-3), who recorded the final two outs in the top of the ninth.
