ST. LOUIS, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Juan Francisco capped off a slugfest with a three-run homer in the ninth inning Friday that propelled the Cincinnati Reds to an 11-8 win over St. Louis.
The Cardinals were unable to build on the momentum from a three-game sweep of division-leading Milwaukee and fell 8 1/2 games behind the Brewers in the National League Central.
Cincinnati scored five times in the second inning, with Francisco's two-run double getting things started.
The Cardinals came back to tie it by the fifth inning and the game was still tied in the sixth after Todd Frazier had hit a homer for Cincinnati and David Freese had produced one for the Cardinals.
Yonder Alonso then put the Reds in front for good with a two-run shot in the seventh. Francisco's blast in the ninth gave Cincinnati an 11-7 lead.
Jose Arredondo (4-4) got the win with an inning of relief.
Alonso's go-ahead homer in the seventh came off Marc Rzepczynski (0-1), the second of five St. Louis pitchers.
