Edmonds fuels Cardinals' drive past Reds

CINCINNATI -- Jim Edmonds drove in four runs with a homer and a double and made another sensational catch atop the centerfield wall, leading the Cardinals to a 6-3 victory Saturday over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cardinals' first victory in six games at Great American Ball Park kept them in first place in the NL Central. They started the day tied with Houston.

St. Louis also got back its leadoff hitter. Fernando Vina was activated off the disabled list and singled in four at-bats. Vina had been out since he tore a tendon connected to his right hamstring on May 25, requiring surgery.

Brett Tomko (11-8) beat his former team for the first time in five career starts, giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings. Tomko was bitter when the Reds traded him to Seattle in 2000 in the deal for Ken Griffey Jr.

The right-hander has given up the most hits, runs and homers in the NL, but prevented Cincinnati from putting together a big rally. In each of the Cardinals' last seven losses, they've allowed opponents to have one big inning.

Four relievers combined to hold the lead, with Jason Isringhausen pitching the ninth for his 16th save in 17 chances.

Edmonds hit a two-run homer in the first off Aaron Harang (3-2) to get the Cardinals rolling. He has 34 homers overall, 10 of them in the first inning.

Edmonds also had a two-run double off the left-field wall in the third and came around on Tino Martinez's single to right. The throw from Dernell Stenson easily beat Martinez, but the ball bounced past catcher Kelly Stinnett for an error that let Edmonds score without a play.

Harang, acquired from Oakland in one of the Reds' five midseason trades, gave up five runs in six innings. He won his first three starts for the Reds, but has lost his last two while giving up 10 earned runs in 11 innings.

Edgar Renteria had a pair of hits, including a solo homer in the ninth off Brian Reith for a 6-3 lead.

For the second consecutive game, Edmonds perfectly timed his jump and made a spectacular catch atop the 8-foot wall in center, saving runs and the Cardinals' momentum.

In the series opener, Edmonds stretched and caught Stinnett's fly ball against the yellow padding atop the wall. He robbed Russell Branyan in the third inning Saturday, reaching over the wall to pull back what would have been a two-run homer.

Notes: St. Louis is 4-8 against Cincinnati this season. ... The Cardinals also activated RHP Russ Springer off the DL and optioned pitchers Garrett Stephenson and Dan Haren to Class A Palm Beach. Neither will leave the team -- they'll be added again when rosters expand on Sept. 1. ... Stephenson was given permission to be with his mother, who was having heart surgery on Saturday. ... C Chris Widger was a late scratch from the Cardinals lineup because of back spasms. ... Tomko is 1-2 career against the Reds with a 6.68 ERA. ... RHP Jimmy Haynes won't pitch for the Reds again this season because of a bulging disc in his back. Haynes went 2-12 with a 6.30 ERA. He has a contract option to return next season for $2.5 million. ... INF Juan Castro made his 71st start of the season. If he starts 80 games, his salary for next season jumps from $900,000 to $1 million.