Redbirds fall short against Reds 4-3

Tavarez capped a bad day by surrendering the game-winning hit in the 10th inning.By Terry Kinney

The Associated Press

CINCINNATI -- After allowing the winning run to score, Julian Tavarez had more on his mind than just his looming suspension.

"I haven't thought about it," Tavarez said. "I'll let my agent handle it. I'll just be playing and waiting for a phone call."

Tavarez gave up Darren Bragg's single, which gave the Cincinnati Reds a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in 10 innings Tuesday night.

"Games like this can go either way," Tavarez said. "Today's game didn't go the way we wanted it, the way I wanted it. Tomorrow's another day. We'll still be in first place."

Tavarez (5-4) was ejected during the opener of Friday's doubleheader against Pittsburgh after umpire crew chief Joe West inspected the pitcher's grimy hat and found what he thought was pine tar.

Shortly before Tuesday night's game, the commissioner's office announced that Tavarez would be suspended 10 days for applying a foreign substance to baseballs.

Tavarez's suspension would've started Tuesday night if he had not appealed.

"The incident that day seemed like it was a very minor thing, and I'm shocked that it would be worth 10 days," manager Tony La Russa said.

When Tavarez entered in the 10th, he gave up a leadoff single to Juan Castro, who advanced on Jason LaRue's sacrifice.

Jacob Cruz walked and Bragg singled to right, with Castro beating the throw to the plate.

It was only the fourth time the Reds have beaten St. Louis in 17 games.

"That was a nice win," Bragg said. "The pitchers went out and did a great job keeping us in the game. It was just my night to be the hero.

"It just happened to be my slot. I was the one who got up there with runners in scoring position. In a close game like that, when it gets late, someone always comes through."

There was nothing fancy about the game winner.

"I was just looking to hit the ball hard and find a hole," Bragg said. "I hit it hard, and it found a hole."

Joe Valentine (1-1) pitched 1 1-3 innings for his first major league win.

St. Louis had won four straight coming in and 15 of 19.

Cardinals starter Jason Marquis, who has won nine straight decisions since May 31, allowed three runs, five hits and five walks in seven innings. Reds starter Josh Hancock gave up two runs -- a pair of solo homers -- and eight hits in six innings.

Reggie Sanders homered for St. Louis in the second, but D'Angelo Jimenez's homer tied the score in the bottom half. Sean Casey hit an RBI single in the third and LaRue had a run-scoring double in the fourth.

Jim Edmonds hit his 32nd homer in the sixth, and Larry Walker hit a tying double off Phil Norton in the seventh.

Notes: 2B Tony Womack extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... Edmonds' homer made it 46 straight games he has reached base, the longest such streak in the NL this season. ... Cardinals recalled OF So Taguchi from Triple-A Memphis, and optioned RHP Jason Simontacchi to Memphis. ... Reds OF Austin Kearns was activated from the 60-day DL and RHP Matt Belisle was optioned to Triple-A Louisville. ... Reds RHP Paul Wilson on the DL since Aug. 14 with soreness in his lower back, threw in the bullpen and will throw again Thursday. ... LHP Mike Matthews is to begin rehab assignment with Louisville on Wednesday.