Nick Senzel and Aristides Aquino hit solo home runs and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 Thursday night to snap a six-game losing streak in the opener of a five-game series.

The loss cut the Cardinals' lead in the National League Central to 7 1/2 games over the idle Milwaukee Brewers.

St. Louis made it interesting in the ninth against rookie reliever Alexis Diaz, loading the bases with one out on two singles and walk before pulling within a run on a sacrifice fly by Albert Pujols, giving him 123 in his career and tying him with Hall of Famer Robin Yount for third most in MLB history since 1954.

Diaz then got pinch-hitter Cory Dickerson to ground out to end the game and earn his seventh save.

Aquino and Spencer Steer each had two hits for the Reds.

Pujols finished 0 for 3 and remained at 697 career home runs. He is fourth on the all-time list behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714).

Miles Mikolas (11-12) had allowed four or more runs in three of his past four starts before giving up three runs in six innings against the Reds. He allowed six hits and three walks in his 30th start of the season.

Cincinnati starter Chase Anderson (1-3) gave up one hit in five innings. He struck out three and waked two.

Anderson, signed to a minor league contract on Aug 27, faced the Cardinals twice last month and gave up eight runs (seven earned) and five hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings.

Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.50) will be facing the Reds for the first time this season, and 10th time in his career. Cincinnati has not announced a starter for Friday's game.