The Cincinnati Reds completed a two-run comeback to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Great American Ball Park, taking a tight division rivalry game in nine innings. Sal Stewart was the offensive catalyst, going 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Matt McLain added three hits in as many at-bats. Sam Moll earned the win out of the bullpen, and Emilio Pagán closed it out for the save, even after allowing two earned runs in the ninth.

Sal Stewart's Home Run Powers Reds Comeback

Stewart's night was the difference. His home run drove in three of Cincinnati's five runs, giving the Reds the firepower they needed to dig out of a deficit against a Cardinals pitching staff that held them in check for much of the evening. The long ball was Stewart's only hit on the night, but it was the most important one in the box score.

McLain was relentless at the plate, collecting three hits in three at-bats. He didn't drive in a run, but a 3-for-3 night from anywhere in your lineup puts consistent pressure on an opponent and sets the table for run-scoring opportunities.

Chase Burns Battles Through Five Innings

Chase Burns started for Cincinnati and worked five innings, striking out eight Cardinals hitters while allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks. Eight strikeouts in five innings is a strong performance by any measure, but Burns did leave the bullpen with work to do, handing off with St. Louis having scored twice on his watch.

The Cincinnati bullpen then carried the load over the final four innings. Sam Moll tossed a clean inning (1 K, 0 ER), picking up the win. Brock Burke followed with a scoreless frame — two walks, no hits, no runs. Luis Mey was the highlight of the relief corps, striking out all three batters he faced across a perfect inning of work.

Emilio Pagán handled the ninth for the save but made it interesting. He surrendered two earned runs on two hits before securing the final outs, trimming what had been a more comfortable cushion down to a one-run margin before the Reds held on.

Matthew Liberatore Outpitched His Line for St. Louis

Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore was sharp. He went six innings, striking out nine Reds hitters and walking none, allowing three earned runs on four hits. A nine-strikeout, zero-walk outing is an excellent performance, and Liberatore gave St. Louis every opportunity to win this game. His bullpen could not preserve it.

Jordan Walker provided the Cardinals' biggest offensive moment, going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. JJ Wetherholt was St. Louis's most consistent hitter, finishing 2-for-4, though neither of his hits resulted in a run. St. Louis couldn't generate enough offense to withstand the Reds' late push.

Matthew Liberatore was charged with the loss for St. Louis despite his strong six-inning outing. Justin Bruihl allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks in the eighth inning — the frame in which Cincinnati took control for good.

Turning Point: The Eighth Inning

The Cardinals entered the eighth with the lead, and Bruihl's inability to navigate the inning cleanly was the moment the game changed. Cincinnati pushed across the runs it needed to not only tie the game but take the lead. From that point, the Reds defense and bullpen closed things out, despite Pagán's bumpy ninth.

What's Next

The Reds and Cardinals will be back at it as this series continues at Great American Ball Park. Division games in August carry weight in the regular-season standings, and the Reds grabbed a critical one Wednesday night.