ST. LOUIS _ The Reds' Dilson Herrera did not have a home run entering Friday night's game at Busch Stadium. He left with a big one _ a seventh-inning knockout blow in the Cardinals' 9-1 loss to the last-place Reds.
With two runners on, Herrera worked an 11-pitch at bat against Cardinals reliever Sam Tuivailala. He cranked a 3-2 fastball into the left-field bleachers, giving the Reds an 8-1 lead.
The Cardinals lone run of the night came in the first inning when catcher Yadier Molina drove in Paul DeJong with a single.
The Reds hopped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Jesse Winker cranked a two-run double. The ball barely stayed in the yard, hitting the top of the left-field wall.
Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez settled in after the first, allowing just one run over his next four innings: a solo homer to Scooter Gennett. He finished the night with four strikeouts, allowing three earned runs.
The Cardinals had just four hits on the night, all of which came in the first two innings.
Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton made the highlight-reel play of the night, leaping against the center-field wall to rob Matt Carpenter of a home run. He whooped with excitement as he jogged to the Reds' dugout, a smile plastered to his face.
