CINCINNATI _ Where to start a game story that featured the Cardinals scoring six runs in the first inning and not stopping there, or that featured a new career high in RBIs for Brad Miller, other than the twist the game took in the eighth inning.
The score was so out of reach, the Reds used their designated hitter to pitch.
National League baseball, 2020.
Miller had two homers and seven RBIs to send the Cardinals to a 16-2 victory Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park. The route got the Cardinals back above .500 for the first time since their home stand skid this past week. The Cardinals' offense was so overpowering against the Reds that it wasn't contained to the starting lineup.
Thirteen different Cardinals reached base in the game.
A dozen had a hit.
The only position player not to reach base safely who is on the roster was the only player not to get into the game, Dylan Carlson.
Andrew Knizner came off the bench in the sixth inning to take over at catcher, and he still had time in the game to get two RBIs, two singles, and a run scored.
The Cardinals had a season-high 23 hits in the game.
They scored in seven of the nine innings.
Reds starter Sonny Gray didn't see the end of the first inning as the Cardinals scored six and sent 11 batters to the plate. The Reds' pitching staff didn't see the end of the game _ unless reliever Michael Lorenzen counts because he played the final two innings in center field. Matt Davidson, the DH, took over on the mound for the final six outs. Miller greeted him with a two-run homer of the right-field foul pole.
Kolten Wong tied a career best with four hits, and he reached base five times. He was lifted after getting hit by a pitch on what appeared to be the foot.
Lost in the cloudburst of offense was Kwang Hyun Kim's steady outing. He pitched five scoreless innings and held the Reds to three hits.
The Cardinals go for the series sweep Wednesday at GABP. They have won five of their first six games against Cincinnati this season.
