CINCINNATI (AP) — Matt Adams’ second homer sent St. Louis to a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in 16 innings on Wednesday night, protecting the Cardinals’ hold on second place in the NL Central. Adams broke an 0-for-17 slump by connecting in the 14th. After St. Louis let that lead get away, he homered again off Logan Ondrusek, ending the Reds’ longest game of the season.

The Cardinals had dropped the first two games in the series, letting the Reds get within a game and a half for second place. They finish their season series on Thursday. St. Louis leads it 11-8. Carlos Martinez escaped a threat in the 15th, when Shin-Soo Choo reached third with two outs but was caught in a rundown.