St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds Results, Stats, and Recap – August 20, 2026 Gametracker – CBS Sports

**St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds: Cardinals Edge Reds 5–3 in a Pitching Duel – August 20, 2026**

In a tightly contested National League Central matchup on Sunday, the St. Louis Cardinals pulled ahead of the Cincinnati Reds in a 5–3 victory at Great American Ball Park. The game, which drew a crowd of 34,567, was defined by a strong bullpen performance from the Cardinals and a late rally from the Reds that fell short.

The Cardinals’ pitching staff opened the game with a dominant outing from rookie right‑hander Tyler Harper, who struck out five and allowed only one run over five innings. Harper’s fastball/slider combo kept Reds’ hitters off balance, and he finished with a 2.14 ERA for the season after the outing. The Reds’ starter, veteran lefty Alex Ramirez, struggled early, giving up three runs in the first inning before being pulled after 3.1 innings. He was replaced by rookie reliever Jose Ramirez, who recorded two outs before being lifted for the Cardinals’ closer, Tyler Smith.

Smith closed the game in the ninth, fanning three and striking out a career‑high four. His 1.00 ERA for the month of August solidified his status as the Reds’ most reliable arm.

Offensively, the Cardinals’ lineup was paced by third baseman Nolan Brown, who went 2‑for‑4 with a double and a run‑scoring single. Second baseman Jose Hernandez also contributed with a two‑run homer in the fourth inning, giving the Cardinals a 3–1 lead that would prove decisive. Cincinnati’s offense was led by outfielder Tyler Smith, who went 2‑for‑5 and drove in two runs, but the Reds were unable to close the gap after the Cardinals’ bullpen took over.

The win marks the Cardinals’ sixth straight victory and extends their winning streak to nine games, the longest in the league. Meanwhile, the Reds fall to a 1–4 record in their last five games, putting them in a precarious position for the AL Central standings.

Looking ahead, the Cardinals will host the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, while the Reds will travel to Chicago to face the Cubs. Both teams will be hoping to regain momentum after a difficult stretch in late August.