The St. Louis Cardinals took down the Cincinnati Reds 6-1 behind a strong start from ace Sonny Gray.

Gray went six innings, allowing one run on two hits and two walks. He struck out nine to pick up the win.

The Cardinals took an early lead in the third, then pulled away for good with a run in the sixth, and two each in the seventh and eighth.

Masyn Winn and Brendan Donovan both homered for St. Louis. Lars Nootbar and Thomas Saggese also drove in runs for the Redbirds.

The Cardinals improve to 74-72, currently 9.5 games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central. St. Louis also remains six games back in the wild card race.

The Cardinals are back in action tomorrow to face the Toronto Blue Jays for an inter-league series.