ST. LOUIS -- Catcher Yadier Molina drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double in the seventh inning to snap a 1-1 tie and send the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto had limited the Cardinals to three hits through the first six innings and had five strikeouts in a row before left fielder Matt Holliday led off the seventh with a single to right, extending his hitting streak to all nine games this season.

After first baseman Matt Adams struck out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta doubled to left, sending Holliday to third and extending his hitting streak to nine games. Center fielder Jon Jay was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Molina ruined the strategy by hitting Cueto's first pitch into the left field corner to clear the bases.

Molina's hit made Cardinals starter Michael Wacha (2-0) the winner. He gave up five hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out four.

Cueto, who had allowed only two earned runs in his first 20 innings this season before Molina's hit, fell to 0-2. He struck out 10 and the only walk he allowed was the intentional pass to Jay.

The Cardinals increased the lead to 6-1 with two runs in the eighth. Third baseman Matt Carpenter led off with his second double of the night and later scored on a fielding error by second baseman Brandon Phillips. Peralta added the final RBI with a sacrifice fly.

First baseman Joey Votto put the Reds on top in the first inning with his fourth homer of the year and third in four games against the Cardinals.

The lead was short-lived as the Cardinals tied the score in the bottom of the inning. Carpenter doubled, went to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Holliday when Reds catcher Bryan Pena dropped the throw from center fielder Billy Hamilton.

Both Cueto and Wacha settled down after the first inning. Cueto retired nine in a row after Carpenter's leadoff double. Wacha allowed just three base runners on a single by Zach Cozart, a fielding error by Peralta and a single by Votto from the second through the fifth.

NOTES: C Devin Mesoarco rejoined the Reds after missing a series in Chicago while getting treatment for a sore left hip. He was available to pinch-hit but has not been cleared to catch. ... The Reds recalled C Tucker Barnhart from Louisville and optioned C Kyle Skipworth to the Triple A club. ... The Reds also announced that RHP Daniel Corcino, who was designated for assignment on Monday, was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. ... Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia threw live batting practice at the team's facility in Jupiter, Fla., but is still likely at least six weeks from possibly rejoining the team as he recovers from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in June. ... In a pregame ceremony, the Cardinals honored the 70th anniversary of Red Schoendienst's major league debut on April 17, 1945. ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey will make his 2015 debut on Saturday against Cardinals RHP Carlos Martinez.