The Cincinnati Reds were backed into a corner as they failed to win a series for more than a month and the walls probably closed on their playoff hopes in the sixth inning Saturday.
They already lost their margin for error. They needed to play close to perfect for three straight weeks to think of a .500 record. Even with an expanded postseason, it seems unlikely that a team with a losing record can sneak into the playoffs.
The St. Louis Cardinals had their first five batters reach base in the sixth inning and they hit three homers in the inning to hand the Reds a 7-1 loss at Busch Stadium.