If ever there was a gritty, desirable split in a four-game series, the Cincinnati Reds achieved just that against the St. Louis Cardinals.

A 97-minute delay abbreviated Matthew Liberatore's start and pushed the Cardinals into bullpen choices to preserve arms, not chase, in a 9-1 loss to Cincinnati.

After the Tuesday game was rained out and a doubleheader played Wednesday, Thursday's 12:40 p.m. game entered a rain delay with the Reds leading 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park. Andrew Abbott started the game for the Reds. Matthew Liberatore was the starter for the Cardinals.