CINCINNATI • On a muggy night at Cincinnati, as thick with humidity as every move the Cardinals make is with intrigue, Michael Wacha was removed from the game after throwing 85 pitches and throwing five innings.
The bullpen had been taxed Tuesday, but with a three-run lead the move was made to Matt Bowman for the sixth inning.
The relievers would have to cover 12 outs.
Bowman didn't get through three before that lead shrank. The Reds scored twice in the sixth inning to slice the Cardinals' lead to 5-4 heading into the seventh inning.