CINCINNATI (AP) – Anthony DeSclafani handled the St. Louis Cardinals for the second straight start, striking out a career-high nine, and the Cincinnati Reds turned a big first inning off John Lackey into a 3-2 victory Tuesday night.
DeSclafani (7-7), the most experienced member of Cincinnati’s all-rookie rotation, gave up seven hits and two runs in six innings. It was his second straight impressive start over the NL Central leaders.
Last Wednesday in St. Louis, DeSclafani gave up only three hits in seven innings of a 1-0 win.
Aroldis Chapman fanned two in the ninth, his fastball topping out at 101 mph, for his 23rd save in 24 chances. The left-hander has converted 56 consecutive save opportunities at Great American Ball Park since his last failure in September 2012.
