Pokey Reese gave the Reds a 3-0 lead in the third inning with a 3-run HR. (AP photos) | ZOOM |

        ST. LOUIS -- The Reds' 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday put them on pace to lose 100 games. To lose 100, you have to be creative. Sunday, it was bad defense and a complete lack of offense for the last five innings.

        A crowd of 42,903 on a rainy night at Busch Stadium and a national television audience on ESPN watched the Reds fall apart as the game went on.

        A Cardinals' unearned run in Reds' three-error sixth was the difference in the game. Pokey Reese's three-run homer in the fourth was the sum total of the Reds' offense.

        “We made the physical mistakes,” Reds manager Bob Boone said. “They got a couple of lucky bounces. That's baseball.”

        The Reds have lost six of seven and 19 of 24. At 21-34, they are on pace to finish 62-100. The Reds have only lost 100 games once in their history: In 1982 when they went 61-101.

Jason LaRue tags out Edgar Renteria in the sixth, then .... | ZOOM |

... both players go sprawling. | ZOOM |

        Rob Bell (0-4) started and went 6 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and all four runs (three earned). The Reds have not won any of seven games he's started.

        But the Reds are looking for positives these days.

        And, all in all, Bell was better.

        “I was very pleased with Robbie,” Boone said. “He's been struggling with his breaking ball. He really had it going tonight.”

        Bell had failed to reach the sixth inning in his last three starts. Rain was to blame in two of those. In his last start, Bell went five innings, allowing four runs -- in the third inning.

        Sunday, he got through the first four innings without allowing a hit.

        The Reds took the lead in the third on Reese's fourth homer of the year, breaking an 0-for-14 skid.

        It also broke open the skies. It had been drizzling since the second inning, but immediately after Reese's homer it began to pour. After three pitches to Donnie Sadler, the tarp came on, beginning a 44-minute rain delay.

        The rain delay didn't seem to affect Bell.

Rob Bell | ZOOM |

        “I was throwing the ball well before it,” he said. “But I think I threw it pretty well after it, too.”

        Bell gave up a hit to Edgar Renteria to start the fifth. On the very next pitch, Mike Matheny crushed one to left for his third homer. That made it 3-2.

        “Renteria hit my pitch,” Bell said. “That was just good hitting. The pitch to Matheny stayed up a little.”

        Bell got the next two batters, then allowed a triple to J.D. Drew. But Bell stranded Drew at the third by getting McGwire on a called third strike.

        The Cards tied it -- and nearly took the lead -- thanks to shoddy defense by the Reds. Edmonds reached when a ball he hit went right through second baseman Sadler. He moved to second when Jason LaRue's pickoff attempt went into right field.

        Bell got Pujols and Lankford. But Renteria doubled to score Edmonds. Renteria tried to score when Alex Ochoa's throw twas nowhere near Reese. But third base man Juan Castro retrieved the ball and threw Renteria out at home.

        The three errors in the inning gave the Reds at least one error in 12 of their last 14 games.

Cardinals 4, Reds 3 Reds send Reith to Louisville Cards get lift from No. 8 hitter Nichting looks like 'prospect' at 35 Boone still hampered by hand Extra lineup cards needed Box, runs

Stadium problems unresolved
XU's West finalist for U.S. team
Tiger cruises to Memorial three-peat
Tiger sets sights on U.S. Open
DAUGHERTY: You have to feel for Azinger
Memorial Golf Notebook
IHL demise expected today
CCD wins state baseball title
Symbols of A.J. Cohen inspired dad, brother
Hamilton throws away softball title
Ohio boys track highlights
Ohio boys track results
Ohio girls track highlights
Ohio girls track results
Dixie wins Ninth Region baseball
Kentucky boys track highlights
Kentucky boys track results
Kentucky girls track highlights
Kentucky girls track results
Kentucky tennis highlights
Kentucky tennis results

• Return to Reds front page...