ICYMI: Cardinals clipped by Cincy

Tuesday night was not a good night for the St. Louis Cardinals, but in the long run this may be a blip on the overall radar screen.

The Cincinnati Reds dealt St. Louis a 4-0 setback in the latest chapter of the longtime rivalry, but it didn’t do much to dent the Cards’ place in the standings.

Through the first 100 games of the season, St. Louis is 64-36 and has a 5 1/2 game advantage over the Pittsburgh Pirates and an 11 1/2 game lead over the fading Chicago Cubs.

More from Redbird Rants

Jaime Garcia didn’t look too impressive in his attempt to show he was healthy, but the Cardinals didn’t help matters any.

St. Louis managed just four hits off pitcher Mike Leake, including doubles by Mark Reynolds and Jason Heyward and singles by Kolten Wong and Stephen Piscotty.

Leake, the subject of trade talks prior to the Friday deadline, looked impressive in his latest mound stint. He struck out three in eight innings of work before closer Aroldis Chapman finished off the game in a non-save situation.

Garcia, meanwhile, walked two and struck out five in six innings of work and kept his ERA at a slim 2.00.

A three-run homer by Joey Votto was the big blow as Cincinnati kept the Cardinals off the board.

What’s up next

The teams finish the three-game series Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. John Lackey (9-5, 2.88) takes on Reds rookie Anthony DeSclafani (5-7, 3.98).