Reds dump Cards to grab first

CINCINNATI -- The Cardinals couldn't do anything against the pitcher who kicked them around the last time they met.

Johnny Cueto took a shutout into the eighth inning Saturday, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Cardinals 7-3, taking over first place in the National League Central with strong showings by the two players who were at the epicenter of their bloody brawl last season.

The defending NL Central champions moved into first place alone for the first time since April 18 behind Cueto and second baseman Brandon Phillips, who ignited the brawl last Aug. 10 with his derogatory comments about the Cardinals. Phillips drove in three runs with a solo homer, RBI single and sacrifice fly.

Then the capacity crowd of 41,307 stayed and cheered as Cincinnati's wishbone "C" moved ahead of the Cardinals on the standings board above the outfield, reflecting their half-game edge.

Cueto (2-0) slashed two Cardinals with his cleats during that brawl and got a seven-game suspension last season. He hadn't faced them since.

Cardinals pitcher Kyle McClellan delivers during the first inning Saturday.

The spicy rematch was all Cueto, who didn't allow a Cardinals batter to reach second base until Matt Holliday doubled in the seventh. A pair of errors set up Jon Jay's three-run homer in the eighth. Cueto gave up three hits and fanned five in 7 2/3 innings.

"Mainly, that was the story of the day," acting Cardinals manager Joe Pettini said. "We just had a tough day against Cueto."

Cueto also made the best play of the game, whirling his glove behind his back for a no-look stab at Albert Pujols' grounder up the middle in the seventh. That out brought a big smile to his face, and he patted his glove in response to a standing ovation from the fans when he left the game in the eighth.

"When he made that catch behind his back, I figured it was probably his day," Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman said.

The last time Cueto faced the Cardinals, he got pinned against the backstop during the brawl and furiously kicked catcher Jason LaRue and pitcher Chris Carpenter, later saying he was protecting himself. Cueto stayed in the game and lasted only 5 1/3 innings, giving up five runs in St. Louis' 8-4 win.

He was in control all the way this time.

"Cueto was good today," Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina said. "His fastball was moving. You've got to give it to him -- he pitched a good game."

Ramon Hernandez hit solo homers on both of the first two pitches he saw from Kyle McClellan (5-1), who went six innings and then headed back to Missouri to be with his wife while she delivers the couple's first child.

The win represented a breakthrough for the Reds, who won the division last season despite going 6-12 against the Cardinals and dropping four of their five series. The Reds have won the first two games of the weekend series, leaving them 3-2 against St. Louis this season.

The Reds have won eight of 10 overall, buoyed by the return of starters Homer Bailey and Cueto. Both had been sidelined by shoulder problems since spring training.

Phillips got the Reds going by leading off the second with his fifth homer. He showed no extra emotion while quickly rounding the bases after ending the Cardinals' streak of eight games without allowing a homer.