ST. LOUIS (AP) Paul Goldschmidt’s double in the eighth inning scored Michael Siani with the tiebreaking run, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Wednesday night. Siani led off the eighth with a single and stole second despite the Reds pitching out on the play.
“My job is to get on base,” Siani said. “My role is to create some stuff and set the table for the guys behind me.”
With out one, pinch-hitter Alec Burleson was hit by a pitch. Goldschmidt, who had singled in the first inning, doubled to center off pitcher Buck Farmer (3-1), scoring Siani.
“He threw a slider that fortunately I was able to hit it and probably even more fortunate that he (center fielder TJ Friedl) didn’t catch it,” said Goldschmidt. “The game’s not easy. There’s always ups and downs. For the most part this year, I was pretty bad with runners in scoring position.”
JoJo Romero (7-2) got the final two outs in the eighth inning and earned the win. Ryan Helsley needed just eight pitches for a 1-2-3 ninth inning and earned his MLB-leading 44th save in 48 opportunities.
St. Louis starter Lance Lynn tied his career high with seven strikeouts in five innings.
“I love watching him pitch,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “He’s just a fiery dude, he yells at everything. The way he goes about it just ignites a little fire in everybody.”
“We didn’t come out on top tonight, but the pitching was there,” Cincinnati manager David Bell said.
In the finale of the three-game series, the Cardinals will send RHP Sonny Gray to the mound against Cincinnati’s LHP Brandon Williamson. First pitch for Thursday’s game will be at 12:15 on KTLO-AM with pregame coverage beginning at 11:20 with Ameren Total Access.
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