Cincinnati took the measure of the Cardinals this afternoon at Sportsman’s Park, defeating the locals 6 to 1 behind the steady pitching of Red Lucas.

The Cardinals dropped the closing game of the Cincinnati set Wednesday afternoon at Sportsman’s Park, falling 6–1 behind the steady pitching of Red Lucas and a flat showing at the plate.

St. Louis managed only a single run and never sustained a threat once the Reds established control of the contest.

Syl Johnson drew the assignment for the Cardinals and was unable to hold Cincinnati in check early enough to keep the game even. The Reds struck for runs in the opening half of the game and forced St. Louis to play from behind almost immediately.

The Cardinals answered briefly in the third inning, pushing across their only tally of the afternoon. It was a short-lived answer. Lucas settled at once, tightening his work and moving quickly through the order as the game wore on.

From the fourth inning forward, St. Louis failed to mount any meaningful rally. Lucas worked efficiently, keeping the ball in play and denying extra chances, while the Cardinals’ bats produced scattered contact without sequence.

Cincinnati continued to add to its margin through the middle innings, building a lead that removed any late suspense. The Cardinal defense committed one error, though the larger issue remained the club’s inability to answer once the Reds gained the advantage.

The late innings passed without resistance. St. Louis went quietly, and the crowd of roughly 3,500 saw the game close without a final push.

Lucas earned the decision for Cincinnati, improving to 4–1, while Johnson was charged with the loss, falling to 0–2.

The defeat leaves the Cardinals at 9–12 on the season.

The Reds take the series in St. Louis, finishing the set with authority after splitting the earlier contests. Cincinnati’s pitching held firm across the series, and in the finale they combined early scoring with controlled work on the mound to keep the Cardinals from finding rhythm.

St. Louis leaves the set still searching for consistent hitting, with the club unable to string together offense across full games. The road ahead tightens, and the Cardinals will need steadier work from both the rotation and the bats to regain ground in the National League race.

— Mike Allen, Bird Chatter Post