The Cardinals win the debut of Shildt, the interim manager

ST. LOUIS (AP) Mike Shildt did not know what to expect in his first day as Acting Director of the St. Louis Cardinals.

He certainly did not anticipate the treatment that he had received at a wild post-game party. The Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds Sunday at 6-4

"They took me to a laundry basket and they make you spin around and then they go to you with a bunch of cold water to the point where I was hyperventilating, "Shildt said:

Veteran Dexter Fowler, who won, was happy to lead the merry water attack.

"This guy knows his thing, and you're happy to put a smile on his face and get the (first) win for him," said Fowler.

Frivolity came at a perfect time for the Cardinals, who broke a series of six home defeats.

Rumors of discontent in the locker room, with inconsistent play, spelled the end for manager Mike Matheny, who was fired after losing 8-2 on Saturday after six years and over seaso ns. The Cardinals were 591-474 during Mathey's tenure and made the playoffs in each of his first four years. But St. Louis has not managed to reach the playoffs in the last two years

Matheny was a receiver of gold gloves for St. Louis from 2000 to 2004 and used those leadership qualities in as a manager.

Veteran receiver Yadier Molina "When you see that happening, it's because we, as players, are not doing our job," said Molina. "I hate to say it, but that's what it is." The fault lies with us. "

Matt Carpenter and Fowler have qualified to lead a seven-shot opportunist attack Tommy Pham has been bailed out # 39, a 0-in-20 slump with a single two-point comeback for the Cardinals, who defeated a three-game losing streak.

Cincinnati, who had won four out of five, is 35-26 since the beginning of the 8-27 season

John Gant (3-3) has won four straight innings without relief and has withdrawn four of his opponents and has walked two.

Carpenter started the game with a first try circuit, his fifth home win of the season and the 20th of his career.He led the team with 19 round-trippers

Fowler added a solo shot in Anthony DeSclafani's second (4-2) for a 2-0 lead

Pham erased a 3-2 deficit with a two-run single that has highlighted an explosion of four points in the fourth. It was Pham's first shot since July 5th. He came into play in the second inning after Harrison Bader left with a knee injury.

The two Pham, who touch .243 and Fowler (.176), have sometimes struggled season.

"These are guys who have proven themselves in this league," said Shildt. "It's really good for their trust."

Shildt said that he was still impressed by his new situation after the contest.

"I still do not believe it to some extent," said Shildt. "But it's a real moment." (I) just managed a game for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Adam Duvall tied the mark for the Reds with a two-point single, loaded in base in fourth Jose Peraza then put his team in the lead with a single on the leg of starter Miles Mikolas

DeSclafani awarded six earned runs on five hits in three sets and one-third.

was not good, "DeSclafani told me." I was terrible. "

Mikolas, who heads for the All-Star game, allowed three runs on six hits in four innings at its shortest outing of the season.

Red Devils outfielder Jesse Winker Reds: RHP Homer Bailey granted four earned runs in six innings of a re-start for Louisville's triple A on Friday. 1-2 and a 5.87 ERA in six minor league appearances Cardinals: Bader sustained injury knee while he was short of a shot on the right court

NEXT

Reds: Cincinnati starts the second half Friday against Pittsburgh. Right-hander Tyler Mahle (7-7, 4.02) will start

Cardinals: St. Louis travels to Chicago for a four-game series against the Cubs after the break.

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