(AP) -- Bronson Arroyo worked eight strong innings and the Cincinnati Reds broke loose with three home runs Thursday for a 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals that averted a three-game sweep.
Brandon Phillips, Ryan Ludwick and Drew Stubbs homered.
The Reds had connected just once in their previous nine games and began the day with a .211 batting average.
The Reds picked on Adam Wainwright (0-3), a 20-game winner in 2010 coming off reconstructive elbow surgery that sidelined him all of 2011.
Wainwright is winless in his first three decisions for the first time in his career. He allowed multiple home runs in consecutive starts for just the second time ever.
In five innings he surrendered four runs, leaving him with a 9.88 ERA.
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