Reds outlast Cardinals 9-8 in 13 innings

“I don’t sound happy because I’m just tired,’’ Baker said. “That was a two-game game. We couldn’t go five (games) back.’’

Bruce drew a leadoff walk and Drew Stubbs singled with one out ahead of the hit by Hernandez off Raul Valdes (0-1).

“I was just looking for something to hit, period,’’ Hernandez said. “I was trying to get something good on the bat. As long as you hit the ball, you’ve got a chance that something happens.’’

Matt Holliday homered for the third time in two games and Albert Pujols had an RBI single in a five-run seventh for the Cardinals. Pujols was 1 for 6 in his first game since returning a month ahead of the timetable from a broken left wrist and was impressed by the comeback.

“That was awesome, man,’’ Pujols said. “For us to be the winning team you’re going to have to do things like that. We’re not going to give up.’’

Jon Jay homered in the ninth off Francisco Cordero to force extra innings, only the third blown save in 20 chances for the Reds closer.

Daniel Descalso, who matched his career high with four hits and had two RBIs, started at third base, moved to second on a double-switch in the 11th and back to third in the 13th for St. Louis.

“We’re down 8-0, it’s hard to come back from that in Little League, let alone the big leagues,’’ Descalso said. “We did a good job of hanging in there. You can’t ask anymore than that.’’

Jose Arredondo (1-3) allowed two hits and struck out two in two innings for the Reds, who had lost four of five. Aroldis Chapman allowed a hit before finishing for his first career save and hit 100 mph on the scoreboard radar on a called third strike to Jay that ended it.

Heisey hit his second career leadoff home run to spark a reconfigured lineup that produced five runs in the first 12 pitches against Jake Westbrook, who barely made it out of the first one start after throwing seven shutout innings against Tampa Bay. Westbrook was charged with seven runs in 4 1-3 innings.