Ubaldo Jimenez stuck around long enough to turn a clunker into a classic.

Matt Holliday hit a go-ahead, three-run homer to back Chris Carpenter's latest dominant effort against Cincinnati, helping the St. Louis Cardinals take two of three from the NL Central-leading Reds with a 4-2 victory Sunday.

Jay Bruce started it with a homer and ended it with a hit that put a little more distance in the NL Central race.

Jay Bruce homered in three consecutive at-bats, matching his career high with five RBIs, and the first-place Cincinnati Reds extended their two-week playoff surge by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-1 on Friday night.

Chris Carpenter had little reaction about getting fined for his part in a brawl between the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto has been suspended for seven games for his actions during a brawl with the St. Louis Cardinals, and both managers were suspended for two games.

With an emphatic sweep, the St. Louis Cardinals gave second baseman Brandon Phillips a different description to use.

The St. Louis Cardinals called up a catcher Wednesday because they weren't sure how long Jason LaRue would be sidelined with injuries from a brawl with the Cincinnati Reds.