Stephens makes a solid return in win over Reds

CINCINNATI -- Garrett Stephenson returned from a three-month layoff by throwing four shutout innings, and pinch-hitter Kerry Robinson had a three-run double as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 9-2 Wednesday night.

Miguel Cairo made the best defensive play of the game, slamming into the left-field wall to rob Ken Griffey Jr. of a hit. Cairo also had three hits, including an RBI double off Shawn Estes (4-11).

Robinson's bases-loaded double eluded a diving Griffey in center and completed a six-run eighth inning that drew jeers and catcalls.

Only 17,554 fans showed up for what could have been the second-to-last game at Cinergy Field, should players strike Friday. There were several angry banners, including one that read, "3 Strikes You're Out, Go Bengals!"

Cinergy is scheduled to be torn down after the season, making way for a new ballpark beyond the left-field wall.

A day after Chuck Finley's two-hit shutout against the Reds, Stephenson, Steve Kline (2-1) and four more relievers limited them to six hits. Griffey's run-scoring groundout in the seventh ended Cincinnati's streak at 21 innings without a run.

The Reds fell 8 1/2 games behind first-place St. Louis, matching their biggest deficit of the season. Cincinnati led the NL Central for 51 days earlier in the season, and traded for three starters in hopes of a playoff run.

It hasn't worked out. Ryan Dempster, Brian Moehler and Estes have gone 4-10 with a 6.71 ERA in 19 games.

The Cardinals got closer to full strength with Stephenson's return. The right-hander struggled with his control in his first start since May 29, when he pulled a hamstring. He later had surgery on the left leg.

Stephenson gave up two singles in four innings, but walked three and hit Jason LaRue and Todd Walker with pitches, drawing a warning from plate umpire Derryl Cousins.

Five of the Reds' first 10 outs against Stephenson were flyballs caught on the warning track. Cairo slammed into the wall to rob Griffey in the third.

Estes, acquired from the Mets for minor leaguers on Aug. 15, once again lost a game because he lost his control in one inning. The left-hander is 0-2 in three starts for the Reds.

Estes gave up a pair of one-out walks in the fourth, and J.D. Drew singled for a 1-0 lead. Cairo doubled to left for another run, but Drew was thrown out at home as he tried to score from first. Mike DiFelice drove in Cairo with a single.

The Cardinals sent 10 batters to the plate in the eighth, when the Reds went through three relievers. Left-hander Gabe White hobbled off the field after pulling groin muscles on a pitch.

Notes: The Cardinals return to Chicago on Thursday for the first time since Darryl Kile died in a hotel room in June. They'll stay at a different hotel. ... LHP Jeff Fassero, who wore No. 16 in his debut with the Cardinals on Tuesday, switched to No. 13. Robinson, who had the number, switched to zero. ... Reliever Gabe Molina was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to open a roster spot for Stephenson. ... Moehler went on the 15-day DL with a weak shoulder. RHP Chris Reitsma was recalled from the minors. ... Reds SS Barry Larkin had a throwing error, his first since July 3. The 42-game stretch without an error was the longest of his career.