CINCINNATI - Alfredo Simon usually takes a strike before taking a swing. Cheap Under Armour Free Shipping . The Cincinnati right-hander was more aggressive, and it paid off against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds starter doubled on the first pitch of his first at bat and then swung at the first pitch of his second plate appearance before slashing another two-bagger that drove in the go-ahead run of a 4-2 Reds win on Wednesday night. "Sometimes, (manager Bryan Price) tells me to take a strike, but sometimes, the fastball I get on the first pitch is the only chance I have to get a hit," said Simon, who was hitting .098 going into the game. Simon shook off a rough start but lasted seven innings, and Ryan Ludwick hit a solo home run to help the Reds win back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 27-28 against the Chicago Cubs. The Central Division-leading Cardinals hadnt sustained consecutive defeats since a four-game losing streak from Aug. 26-30. "He was a little erratic early, but he rallied," Price said of Simon. Simon (14-10) allowed five hits and two runs with three walks and five strikeouts for his second win in eight decisions over 11 starts since the All-Star break. "I gave up the two runs in the first inning, but I kept fighting," Simon said. "Everything was working." Sam LeCure and Ryan Dennick pitched the eighth, and Aroldis Chapman worked a perfect ninth for his 32nd save. Terry Lyons (0-4) took the loss after Cardinals starter John Lackey was ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes. Plate umpire Tom Hallion ejected Lackey four pitches into the third inning. "Lackey was warned to quit arguing balls and strikes, and he continued to argue," Hallion said. The ejection caught Lackey by surprise. "I didnt say any cuss words toward him," Lackey said. "He saw my mouth moving and threw me out. It was unexpected, for sure. Ive been thrown out a few times throwing balls at people, but never for something like this" With the game tied 2-2, Jay Bruce led off the Reds fourth inning with a bloop single. Simon, who entered with one career double, went the opposite way to drive in Bruce with the go-ahead run. Brandon Phillips added a bases-loaded, run-scoring single in the fifth to make it 4-2. Simon retired the first two batters of the game before the Cardinals scored two runs. Matt Holliday walked and scored from first on Matt Adams double. Oscar Taveras followed with a run-scoring single. Todd Frazier drove in Chris Heisey with a single in the first, and Ludwick tied it for the Reds in the second with his ninth homer and first since Aug. 17 — a 374-foot shot into the left-field seats. QUICK PITCH Lackey was ejected for the fourth time in his career and first since 2009 when he was with the Angels and was ejected two pitches into a game for throwing at Texas Ian Kinsler. DONE DEAL The Reds acquired from Milwaukee minor-league RHP Kevin Shackelford and RHP Barrett Astin on Wednesday as the two players to be named in the Aug. 31 trade that sent RHP Jonathan Broxton to the Brewers. TRAINERS ROOM Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny got no argument from SS Jhonny Peralta when the veteran was given Wednesday off. Peralta missed just three of St. Louis first 145 games. "He wants to finish strong," Matheny said. "Hes answered the bell." Reds: RHP Pedro Villareals status remained day-to-day after he was hit in the right forearm by Hollidays sharp one-hopper in the ninth inning of Mondays 5-0 loss. UP NEXT Cardinals: Lance Lynn tries to improve to 4-0 in four 2014 starts against Cincinnati in Thursdays series finale. Reds: Johnny Cueto will look to avoid dropping to 0-3 in three starts this season against St. Louis. Wholesale Under Armour Shop . 4 jersey of former defenseman Rob Blake this coming season. The ceremony will take place prior to the Kings January 17 game against Anaheim. Under Armour Shoes Official Store . - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked spry enough in pregame warmups Sunday for Green Bays divisional playoff game against Dallas. http://www.underarmouroutletonline.com/ .ca NHL Power Rankings, ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. Moving up, from 10 to seven this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins have won seven straight despite a depleted lineup.Owner Rich Ricci has admitted the death of Vautour could see Douvan take a different route this season. Douvan is unbeaten since joining Willie Mullins and has won at the last two Cheltenham Festivals.He has yet to run over further than two miles and a furlong, but has been entered in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day - a race in which Vautour finished second last year - and could now be asked to step up in trip. I would say that before any of this happened (the death of Vautour) this weekend, we would have said wed stay over two miles this year and maybe step him (Douvan) up in trip next year, Ricci told At The Races.We will have to see. He would need a run before he goes and does that. Hes onlyy a second-season novice so its a big ask. Under Armour Outlet Sale. I think clearly hes a Champion Chase contender and well have to see how the season pans out.But I would say right now we will stick to two miles and maybe step up in trip for something like the King George, but the Cheltenham target would most likely be the Champion Chase.Start a free one month trial of Racing UK and watch EVERY RACE LIVE in stunning HD from over 40 meetings. Visit racinguk.com/freetrial to start yours now. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports ￡10 completely free bet! 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