The Cincinnati Reds lost ground in the National League playoff chase while suffering an untimely three-game weekend sweep from the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.

The Reds (74-75) will try to regain traction Monday night when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals (73-77) in the opener of a three-game series.

Cincinnati is 2 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the race for the final NL wild-card spot. The Cardinals remained four games back of the Mets, who defeated the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Sunday.

The Reds will open the series with pitcher Zack Littell (9-8, 3.78 ERA), who is coming off a strong performance Tuesday at San Diego. The right-hander held the Padres to two runs on two hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings of a 4-2 victory,

Littell retired 11 consecutive b

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