St. Louis bests Cincinnati

Michael Wacha worked six solid innings and Yadier Molina hit an early three-run double, as St. Louis survived a close call in the ninth to best Cincinnati, 5-3, in the opener of a three-game set from Busch Stadium.

Allen Craig and Matt Holliday drove in a run each for the Cardinals, who raised their NL champion banner and won a home opener for the first time since 2010.

Wacha (1-0) allowed a run on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk, then Carlos Martinez and Kevin Siegrist combined for two more scoreless innings.

Trevor Rosenthal got into trouble in the ninth, walking Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick and allowing a base hit to Todd Frazier which loaded the bases. Zack Cozart singled in Bruce with one away and pinch-hitter Neftali Soto added a sacrifice fly before Billy Hamilton's fly out ended the game.

Roger Bernadina added a pinch-hit RBI double and Brayan Pena went 3-for-4 with two doubles for the Reds, who have dropped four of their last five.

Tony Cingrani (0-1) lasted only four frames, charged with three hits and as many runs with five strikeouts and four walks.

[SportsNetwork.com]