Bronson Arroyo became the third Cincinnati pitcher in five games to go the distance and Scott Rolen hit his seventh home run of the season in the Reds’ 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rolen’s gave the Reds (21-16) a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when he took Brad Penny (3-4) deep to right with Orlando Cabrera on.

From there, Arroyo (3-2) could have handled the Cardinals (21-17) himself. He allowed seven hits, three walks, and fanned four to win his third straight decision.

The veteran right-hander even helped his own cause with a 2-run single in the bottom of the fifth to give the Reds a 6-1 lead.

The victory moves the Reds into first place in the National League Central.

If Arroyo’s outing was his best game of the season it conversely was Penny’s worst. While he struck out seven, the St. Louis right-hander allowed 13 hits and seven earned runs in his five inning stint after not allowing more than three earned runs in any start this season.

Rolen finished the game with three RBIs, while Jason LaRue hit his first home run of the year in a losing cause.