ST. LOUIS, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Matt Holliday blasted a three-run homer in the sixth inning Sunday, sparking the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-2 win over Cincinnati.

Colby Rasmus contributed a pair of hits for the Cardinals, who stayed alive in the National League Central race with the victory. St. Louis took two of three games in a weekend series at Busch Stadium and moved to within seven games of the division-leading Reds.

Chris Carpenter (15-5) struck out a season-high 11 batters and yielded two runs on six hits. The Cards took the season's series from Cincinnati 12-6.

Reds starter Homer Bailey (3-3) was saddled with the loss, giving up all four runs on five hits over six frames.

Orlando Cabrera drove in a pair of runs for Cincinnati.