Weary Reds trip Cards on Friday

ST. LOUIS -- Following a rough plane ride to St. Louis early Friday morning, Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker was hoping for a quiet, peaceful game.

Instead, he got a roller-coaster of emotions as the Reds beat the Cardinals 3-2 on Friday night for their season-high fifth win in a row.

Jay Bruce had three hits and two RBIs, and Cincinnati turned in several fine defensive plays following a 2 1/2-hour rain delay that featured lightning strikes near the stadium.

The Reds, who have won seven of 10, snapped St. Louis' five-game winning streak. The game was delayed 2 hours, 32 minutes in the middle of the sixth inning by rain and severe weather.

The Reds had trouble getting into St. Louis early Friday due to high winds. They began their descent at 1:20 a.m. On the third attempt in a span of 90 minutes, the pilot finally touched down the plane -- but not without a few anxious moments.

"Worst plane ride I've ever been on," Baker said. "Rough. Absolutely horrible."

But the Reds bounced back from the experience with a rousing effort on the field.

"The guys are full of fight and that's how you win ballgames," Baker said.

Bruce's single in the sixth off starter Brad Penny brought in Joey Votto with the tying run.

One batter later, Jonny Gomes gave the Reds a 3-2 lead with a single to left field.

Cincinnati starter Johnny Cueto (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Nick Masset got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth when David Freese grounded into a double play.

Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his ninth save in 10 chances.