The Cincinnati Reds needed a win to keep pace with the Washington Nationals for home-field advantage in the playoffs and they did just that as they beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-1, Tuesday night.

The Cardinals could have wrapped up a wildcard berth with a victory, but their magic number to eliminate the Los Angeles Dodgers remains at one after the loss.

The Cardinals got on the board first with a first-inning sacrifice fly off the bat of Matt Holliday. That was the only run the Reds would score on Tuesday. Chris Carpenter, who was making his third start of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury, couldn't make it hold up.

Scott Rolen hit a solo homer in the fourth inning to tie up the score. The Reds would tack on two more runs in the sixth. Joey Votto led off with a walk and a Ryan Ludwick double put men on second and third. Jay Bruce singled home Votto and Dioner Navarro singled home Ludwick to make the score 3-1.

The Reds' bullpen shut down the Cardinals over the final four innings to preserve the victory for Mat Latos, who improved his record to 14-4. Aroldis Chapman saved his 38th game.

Homer Bailey will start for the Reds tomorrow. It will be his first start since his no-hitter as Cincinnati looks to nail down home-field advantage. Adam Wainwright will throw for St. Louis if the Dodgers win later tonight against San Francisco.