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CINCINNATI, Ohio -- St. . Louiss drive toward a Central Division championship hit a Cincinnati speed bump. Johnny Cueto pitched eight scoreless innings to beat Lance Lynn and send the Cardinals to their third consecutive loss, 1-0, Thursday. Cueto (18-8) allowed just three hits and hit a batter to help the Reds win their second series in the last 13 against Central Division-leading St. Louis. The Cardinals have lost three straight for the first time since a four-game losing streak Aug. 26-30 and finished their eight-game road trip 4-4 after winning three out of four in Milwaukee. "Were heading home," said centre fielder John Jay, who came up short of making the crucial play. "We just have to keep playing." Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 33rd save and third in the last three games. "We created an environment where we play the spoiler," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "There is no secret weve struggled with the Cardinals the last several years." Lynn (15-9) retired 15 straight before Brandon Phillips led off the eighth inning with the Reds first walk of the game. He went to third on Jay Bruces single to centre field and scored on Ramon Santiagos sinking liner to short centre that Jay got a glove on but couldnt hold. Bruce had to hold up to see if the ball was caught and was forced at second. "I just missed it," Jay said. "I knew I couldnt leave my feet. If I slide, hes tagging. I tried to be aggressive." "Hes made great plays all year," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "Thats one he makes all the time. That one just got away." The Reds have won three straight games for the first time since August 5-7 against Cleveland. They finished their home stand 4-3 after losing two out of three against the Mets. Lynn went into the game 3-0 with a 4.00 ERA in three starts against the Reds this season. Cueto was 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against St. Louis. "Today, he just outpitched me," Lynn said. "Thats part of it." Cueto retired the last 14 batters he faced after Matt Adams led off the fourth inning with a single and was eliminated in a double play. Cueto finished with seven strikeouts. Lynn allowed three hits and a walk with six strikeouts in eight innings. Bruce kept the game scoreless with a leaping catch at the right-field fence to rob Adams of a home run leading off the seventh inning. Adams appeared to doff his batting helmet to salute Bruces play. K MAN: Cuetos seven strikeouts give him 220 this season, the most since Jose Rijo led the National League with 227 in 1993. HIT MAN: Jay was hit by a pitch for the 19th time this season, the most in the majors. He was plunked for the third consecutive game. TRAINERS ROOM: Cardinals: Catcher Yadier Molina got Thursdays game off after playing all of Wednesdays night game. Molinas surgically repaired right thumb still is an issue, manager Mike Matheny said. "You can see the splint," Matheny said. "Hes still protecting it and doing things to strengthen it." Reds: Catcher Brayan Pena was scratched from the original starting lineup with an illness. Devin Mesoraco started in Penas place. UP NEXT: Cardinals: Adam Wainwright starts as St. Louis opens a 10-day, nine-game home stand with the first of three against Colorado. Reds: Mat Latos strives for his first career win at Miller Park as the Reds open a 10-day, nine-game road trip with the first of three at Milwaukee. Latos is 0-4 in six starts at Miller. . The Tampa Bay Lightnings star forward told reporters after Mondays practice that he is targeting the teams Saturday game against the Detroit Red Wings for his long-awaited return. . Evan Oberg opened the scoring for the Wolves (31-17-6) 9:27 into the first period and Ty Rattie added an insurance goal at 12:17 of the third while Abbotsfords Shane OBrien was serving a double minor for high sticking. .The list of nominees was reduced Thursday to 15 from the modern era, one senior and two contributors. A finalist must receive at least 80 per cent of the votes from the 46-person selection committee to be elected.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars are down four receivers, including starters Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts III, at practice. Blackmon is dealing with tightness in his groin and hamstring. Shorts injured the joint that connects his breastbone and collarbone in Sundays loss at Denver. He was still in pain Wednesday, but was able to turn his head and lift both arms above his shoulders for the first time in days. . The Jaguars (0-6) also are without rookie Ace Sanders, who is being evaluated for a concussion, and Stephen Burton. Burton missed the last three games because of a concussion. He was on the field Wednesday, but still hasnt been fully cleared to practice or play. Jacksonville did have tight end Marcedes Lewis (calf) and cornerback Dwayne Gratz (ankle) back at practice. ' ' '