CINCINNATI _ Righthander Brad Thompson had his third straight mediocre start for the Cardinals today as the Cincinnati Reds touched him up for five runs in five innings as they took a 5-2 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals into the late innings at Great American Ball Park.

Thompson has given up 13 earned runs in his last 16 innings covering the three starts. His next start is slated for Friday at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs but that might come under advisement.

One of the two Cardinals’ runs through eight innings came on a 453-foot homer by rookie Colby Rasmus in the first inning. It was Rasmus’ ninth homer of the season.