Scott Rolen hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the eighth inning Sunday night, sending the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 victory and three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Reds' sixth straight win matched their best surge of the season, moved them a season-high 12 games over .500, and jumped
them a game ahead of Pittsburgh for the NL Central lead. St. Louis fell 4½ games back.
Rolen's two-out single off Mitchell Boggs snapped a 2-all tie and provided a satisfying moment for the 37-year-old third baseman, limited by a bad shoulder and back.
Jake Westbrook (7-8) set up the rally with a walk, a wild pitch and a hit batter.
Homer Bailey (8-6) went eight innings during a fill-in start for Johnny Cueto, sidelined by a blister.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)