Homer Bailey pitched seven solid innings in his second start for the suspended Johnny Cueto, Brandon Phillips backed him with three hits and three RBIs and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Friday night for their season-high seventh straight victory.
The win, coupled with St. Louis' home loss to San Francisco, increased Cincinnati's lead in the NL Central to 4 1/2 games — the Reds' largest margin since May 18, 2002, when they held a five-game lead before finishing in third place. They are seeking their first division title since 1995, when they swept the Dodgers in the first round of the postseason.
Bailey (3-2) allowed a run and four hits, struck out six and walked two in his second outing after coming off the disabled list.
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