Castillo, 2 relievers shut down Cards

ST. LOUIS — Luis Castillo and two relievers combined on a two-hitter to lead the Reds to a 4-0 win over the Cardinals on Saturday night.

The Cardinals, who won a major league-best 22 games in August, lost for the second time in six games while the Reds snapped a three-game losing streak. The Cardinals fell to 4 ⁄2

1 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central after the Cubs beat the Phillies 7-1.

Castillo (8-11) gave up two hits and struck out a career-high 11 in 6 ⁄3 innings. He gave up a leadoff

2 single to Matt Carpenter in the first before retiring 15 of the next 16 hitters.

David Hernandez and Raisel Iglesias completed the two-hitter.

Eugenio Suarez keyed a threerun outburst against Daniel Poncedeleon (0-1) in the fourth. Joey Votto broke the scoreless tie with a run-scoring double. Scooter Gennett followed with a hit to set the stage for Suarez's drive off the wall in left.

Tucker Barnhart added a runscoring single in the seventh.

Poncedeleon, in his third major league start, retired the first 10 batters he faced on 43 pitches. But the next six hitters reached safely ending his night after 31⁄3 innings.

Poncedeleon gave up three runs on five hits. He struck out four and walked one.

The Cardinals have won 20 of their last 26 and have a 29-14 record since manager Mike Shildt took over for Mike Matheny on July 15.

Before the game, the Cardinals activated outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the 10-day DL. Ozuna has been bothered by right shoulder inflammation.

Ozuna is expected to start on Sunday.