Greene allows one run through seven innings, Candelario homers as Reds beat Cardinals 4-1

CINCINNATI (AP) — Hunter Greene allowed one run through seven innings, Jeimer Candelario hit a two-run homer and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 on Tuesday night to secure a win of the series between the NL Central rivals.

The hard-throwing Greene (9-4) allowed four hits while striking out eight and walking one in notching his third straight win in a game played in one hour and 59 minutes.

“My body felt really good,” the All-Star pitcher said. “(I was) able to get to all of my pitches. My release point felt great. Just felt super athletic and loose.”

Greene was asked if he has staked his claim of being considered the Reds' ace.

“That's for the people to decide,” he said. “I've already made up my mind of being one. I feel like my process has been solid. I've been as consistent as I could be. But there's still a lot of work to put in, and the season's not over yet.”

Reds manager David Bell likes Greene's confidence and aggressiveness. Greene was still hitting 99 mph in his last inning of work.

“He's pitching great,” Bell said. “I thought tonight (was) just another step of attacking, conviction behind his pitches. I know (Reds) hitters pick up on that, and it's just attack, attack, attack. I thought he did it with his best fastball tonight.”

Spencer Steer had a two-out, RBI single in the first inning. Ty France led off the second with a homer off the roof of the Cardinals bullpen in right, his 11th of the season.

Candelario smashed his 19th homer with two outs in the sixth.

“I was just looking for a quality AB,” Candelario said. “I'm just putting myself in a great position to hit the ball hard and see what happens.”

Cardinals starter Erick Fedde (8-6) went six innings, giving up four runs and six hits and striking out two. He allowed both of Cincinnati's home runs.

Nolan Arenado led off the seventh with a 400-foot homer into the left-field seats to cut the Reds lead to three in what would be Greene's last inning.

Tony Santillan retired the Cardinals in order in the eighth, and Alexis Diaz got them in the ninth for his 24th save in 26 tries. He has 17 in a row.

Cincinnati won the series opener on Monday night 6-1.

“We haven’t come through in certain situations,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. "You have to grind out at-bats. Moving forward we have to be better. Greene is not a guy you get right against.”

UP NEXT

Cardinals right-hander Kyle Gibson (7-4, 3.99 ERA) faces Reds right-hander Emilio Pagan (2-3, 4.22) in the finale of the three-game series Wednesday night.

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St. Louis Cardinals' Willson Contreras smiles toward the dugout after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

St. Louis Cardinals' Erick Fedde delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz fields a ground ball against St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol watches play during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Cincinnati Reds Ty France rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn catches a line drive during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Cincinnati Reds' TJ Friedl is picked off first as St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt makes the tag during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Cincinnati Reds' TJ Friedl hits a single during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Cincinnati Reds' Hunter Greene delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber set the MLB single-season record with his 14th leadoff home run Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Schwarber sent a 1-0 fastball from Rays starter Taj Bradley 437 feet to center field, moving ahead of Alfonso Soriano, who had 13 leadoff homers in 2003 with the New York Yankees.

Schwarber's 35th homer of the season was the 45th leadoff homer of his career, with 32 coming since joining the Phillies in 2022.

After enduring a 17-game homer drought and then hitting just one homer in 23 games, Schwarber has gone on a tear with seven home runs in his last eight games, including three in his first at-bat of a game.

The 31-year-old designated hitter leads the Phillies in home runs and RBIs (95).

Schwarber has led off for the Phillies in all 133 games he has started this season. He missed 10 days with a groin strain in early July.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates his solo home run with Bryce Harper during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber, center, hits a solo home run off Tampa Bay Rays' Taj Bradley during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)