ST. LOUIS -- Fight, claw, scratch -- whatever it takes at this point is what the Reds must do for wins that keep their playoff hopes alive.

In a game with multiple lead changes, the Reds emerged with an 11-6 victory over the Cardinals on Monday at Busch Stadium. Cincinnati (75-75) inched to within two games of the idle Mets for the final National League Wild Card berth with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

It was a 6-6 game in the top of the eighth when Sal Stewart hit a one-out single before Tyler Stephenson and Elly De La Cruz drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Pinch-hitting for Ke'Bryan Hayes , Will Benson lifted his sacrifice fly to left field that was deep enough to easily score Stewart with what eventually became the game-winning run.

Four more Reds

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