10-run inning shocks Reds

Cardinals 12, Reds 11

CINCINNATI — Thirty-two minutes after the Cincinnati Reds entered the sixth inning with a sevenrun lead against the St. Louis Cardinals, their bleak playoff hopes were dealt a potential knockout blow.

The Cardinals sent 13 batters to the plate against three Reds pitchers. There were eight hits, one walk, an error and one massive gut-punch when outfielder José Martínez hit a go-ahead threerun homer over the center-field wall to complete a 10-run inning.

Once Martinez’s homer landed over the wall, boos rained down from the crowd Reds manager David Bell gets his point across before being ejected by home plate umpire Carlos Torres, right, during the first inning. of 37,652. Already reeling from injuries and a bad stretch following the All-star break, the Reds were dealt a stunning 12-11 loss at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds have lost eight of their past 10 games and dipped a season-high nine games out of first place in the NL Central.

Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle urrendered three straight singles to begin the sixth inning. The shutout ended on a sacrifice fly, then Mahle’s night was done when Tyler O’neill added an RBI single.

Right-hander Matt Bowman entered with two runners on base. Bowman gave up an infield single. A run scored on another sacrifice fly for the second out of the inning. Paul Dejong followed with a two-run double down the left-field line, ending Bowman’s outing.

Jared Hughes entered, and Andrew Knizner lined an RBI double to center to make it a one-run game. Following a walk, first baseman Joey Votto committed an error, allowing Knizer to score the tying run.

The comeback was complete, but the Cardinals weren’t done. Martínez launched a full-count fastball for a 414-foot homer.

Dejong added a two-run homer to left field in the seventh inning against reliever Robert Stephenson.