With 22 games remaining in the regular season, the Cardinals are picking the wrong time to go into a slump.
The Cards suffered a lopsided 11-0 loss to the Reds, their sixth loss in the past eight games. The club has been outscored 52-20 during that stretch.
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Todd Frazier led the Reds' offense, going 3 for 5 with a home run, a double and three RBIs, while rookie left-hander John Lamb earned his first MLB victory. The Reds have started a rookie pitcher in 41 consecutive games, tying a MLB record set in 1902.
Despite the string of losses, the Redbirds still hold a 4 1/2-game lead in the NL Central over the Pirates, who blew an opportunity to gain ground with a 6-4 loss to the Brewers in 13 innings.
The Cubs, who are seven games back and third in the division, will have to wait until Friday to try to move up in the standings. Their game Thursday with the Phillies was postponed because of rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader Friday in Philadelphia.
The Blue Jays and Yankees, also rained out Thursday, have a doubleheader set for Saturday.
Play of the day
Nelson Cruz launched a two-run homer, his 40th of the season, in a 5-0 win against the Rangers. Cruz has reached the 40-home run plateau two years in a row.
Star performers
American League
Indians outfielder Michael Brantley blasted two home runs — his 14th and 15th of the season — as the Tribe topped the Tigers 7-5.
National League
Mets third baseman Juan Uribe went 3 for 4 with three RBIs as New York extended its lead to 7 1/2 games over Washington in the NL East with a 7-2 over the Braves. Also, Mets starter Bartolo Colon set a major league record for longest scoreless streak by a pitcher aged 42 or older, passing Cy Young and Warren Spahn, who held the mark with 27 innings. Colon's streak ended at 31 in the seventh inning. He came up 1 2/3 innings short of tying R.A. Dickey's franchise record.
Key injuries
Pirates outfielder Starling Marte exited against the Brewers after being hit by a pitch on his left shoulder in the eighth. He is considered day to day.
Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong told reporters he is dealing with a calf strain — not just tightness, as he claimed earlier. He hopes to be back in action as soon as this weekend.
Wong's teammate Matt Holliday (quad) also hopes he can return at some point on the Cardinals' current road trip. He has played in just 11 games since June 8 because of a torn quadriceps.
A look ahead
Blue Jays (79-60) at Yankees (77-61), 7:05 p.m.: David Price (14-5, 2.43 ERA) takes the mound as the Blue Jays kick off a pivotal four-game series against the Yankees. Luis Severino (3-2, 2.04 ERA) will have his work cut out for him against a powerful Jays offense that leads MLB in runs scored. The Yankees can cut the Blue Jays' AL East lead to a half-game with a win.
Astros (76-64) at Angels (70-69), 10:05 p.m.: Jered Weaver (6-10, 4.78 ERA) and the Angels open up a three-game series against the AL West-leading Astros. LA is three games behind the Rangers for the second wild card and 5 1/2 back of the Astros in the division. Halos center fielder Mike Trout is batting .308 in his career against Astros starter Dallas Keuchel (17-6, 2.29 ERA).