Adam Dunn is caught stealing by Fernando Vina on the throw from catcher Mike DiFelice in the sixth inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        ST. LOUIS — This was the kind of game you don't expect the Reds to win. And it's just the kind of game they have won on a regular basis this year.

        Matt Morris, one of the best pitchers in baseball, started for St. Louis. Jose Rijo, one of the most operated-on pitchers in baseball, started for the Reds. Morris won 22 games last season; Rijo won the hearts of fans last year by coming back after being away from the game for six years.

        So, naturally, Rijo beat Morris to lift the Reds over the Cardinals 7-3 before a crowd of 40,483 at Busch Stadium.

        How do you explain that?

        “It's a funny game,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.

        Rijo has been pulling a smoke-and-mirrors act all year. You keep expecting the trick to be revealed. On Saturday, the magic worked against one of the best lineups in baseball.

        “We're seeing something amazing here,” Boone said.

        Rijo's slider doesn't snap and his fastball doesn't zip, but he understands the gravity of a big game and relishes it.

        “This was a very, very important win for me,” Rijo said. “I knew I was facing Morris. He's one of the top three pitchers in the league. (The Cardinals) are in a rhythm. They've got a great lineup. You can't make too many mistakes.”

        Rijo didn't. He retired the first 11 batters he faced. He gave up two runs in the fifth, then turned it over to the bullpen.

Juan Encarnacion is congratulated by teammates Adam Dunn and Todd Walker after his two-run home run in the second inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The Reds opened things up with four runs — all scored with two outs — in the sixth. But without Rijo hanging in there with Morris, you have to wonder if the Reds would have won this one.

        Cincinnati's lead in the National League Central is back to five games after the Reds split the first two games of four with the Cardinals. Saturday's victory means the Reds are going home with at least a three-game lead.

        “That's why it's a big victory for me,” Rijo said. “The team needed it. . . . This is a good team with a lot of young talent. Any time we're in position to win, we've got a great chance with our bullpen.”

        And with Rijo, the 37-year-old medical wonder who put them in position to win. He is 4-1.

        “Is this a great country or what?” he said. “The land of opportunity, and I got mine. But if anyone said I was going to be 4-1 — even me as cocky as I am — I'd say, "No way, Jose!' ”

        Morris entered the game on a 17-inning scoreless streak. He shut out the Chicago Cubs on four hits his last time out. He had given up only two total runs in his three starts in May. His ERA at Busch was 0.90.

        But the Reds got to him early.

        Juan Encarnacion started the scoring with a two-run homer in the second, his 10th of the year.

        “It's good (to get the early lead),” Encarnacion said. “He's one of the best pitchers. It gives the team confidence. It gives our pitcher confidence.”

Jose Rijo pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The Reds added a run on Todd Walker's RBI single in the fourth.

        The Cardinals got to Rijo for two runs in the fifth.

        “I got a little tired,” Rijo said. “My slider flattened out. It's something I've got to work on.”

        Tino Martinez started the inning with a home run to right, his fourth of the season. Edgar Renteria doubled to left. Placido Polanco followed with a single, putting runners at first and third. One out later, the Cardinals tried to steal a run on Morris' bunt.

        It would have worked if not for a great play by catcher Corky Miller. Miller scooped the ball up about 4 feet in front of the plate toward first base. He then dived back to just get Renteria.

        “With a fast runner on third, they're going to try to steal the run,” Miller said. “I heard a commotion. You just try to get the ball and dive at the plate. I never saw him, but I felt him coming.”

        Fernando Vina got another run home with a single. But the Reds still led 3-2. They broke it open in the sixth.

        Sean Casey led off with his second hit of the day. After Austin Kearns struck out, Adam Dunn singled. Dunn was thrown out trying to steal second. So, if the Reds were to rally, it would be with two outs.

        Encarnacion hit a little grounder that Morris fielded, but the throw to first wasn't in time.

Tino Martinez connects for a solo home run in the fifth inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Walker singled to score Casey. “I'm starting to find the holes,” said Walker, who is 8-for-17 with five RBI in his last five games. Miller followed with another hit, scoring Encarnacion to make it 5-2.

        Brady Clark, whose double-play groundout with the bases loaded and one out was key in Friday's loss, delivered a two-run double. It was 7-2, and Morris was gone. It was his worst outing of the year.

        The Reds' bullpen finished up for Rijo. Scott Williamson, Jim Brower and Gabe White did not allow a hit over the last four innings, giving up one run in the eighth inning.

        The Cardinals were still used to Rijo's junk when the hard throwers took over.

        “When Williamson comes in after Rijo, it's a shocker,” Brower said. “There's like a 50-mile-per-hour difference. It sets up great. Jose changes their approach.”

Reds 7, Cards 3 Reds box, runs Reds' final game tickets sell out in under an hour Reds Q&A with John Fay Say it ain't so Armed for the long haul Handicapping the NL Central race Cinergy Countdown No. 27: Aug. 17, 2001 Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid Down on the farms Pineda heats up in bullpen Reds chatter The week ahead Durazo's big night shatters team records Legislature approves Twins stadium bill Prior's debut Wednesday at Wrigley Field Selig says Brewers' bad season not hurting his crusade John Fay's MLB Power Rankings Louisville 4, Ottawa 1 NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Saturday's games

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