Ryan Helsley, Alec Burleson spark the Cardinals to 1-0 victory over the Reds
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley throws in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ryan Helsley closed for his major league-leading 29th consecutive save and Alec Burleson drove in the lone run, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night.
St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Alec Burleson, right, celebrates with left fielder Brendan Donovan, right, after defeating the Cincinnati Reds in a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Helsley pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Left fielder Brendan Donovan made a leaping catch in front of the wall in left on a ball hit by Stuart Fairchild to end the game.
“I thought it had a chance to go,” said Donovan, a former utility Gold Glove winner. “I know how fly balls play in this ballpark. I got a good bead on it.”
St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol was impressed.
“He got a good jump. It went further than I thought,” Marmol said. “A really nice play. He's made several good catches like that over the last few weeks. He's been really good out there.”
Cincinnati manager David Bell said he thought Anderson had tied it.
“Off the bat, yeah, I thought it had a chance. This is a big ballpark," Bell said. "All you can do it put a good swing on it. We came up short. We weren't able to score. Give the Cardinals pitchers credit.”
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman throws out Cincinnati Reds' Jonathan India at first base in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Helsley hasn’t blown a save since March 30, his first outing of the season against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Helsley did earn the victory in that game.
With one more save, Helsley will tie the 30 saves that Hall of Famer Lee Smith posted in 1993 before the MLB All-Star Game, a Cardinals record.
Andre Pallante (4-3) pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, checking the Reds on four hits. He struck out five while, walked three and hit a batter. Pallanet has won all five decisions against the Reds in his career over his 14 appearances.
St. Louis Cardinals' Michael Siani, left, slides safely for a run at home plate ahead of a tag by Cincinnati Reds catcher Luke Maile, right, in the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
“As long as I got the ball in decent spots, I had good results on it,” said Pallante, who developed a blister on his big toe in the third inning on worked through it. “It's the command that's important.”
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brandon Crawford is unable to field a grounder by Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Pallante wriggled out of a two-out bases-loaded jam in the fifth by getting Elly De La Cruz to ground out.
“I felt pretty confident there against De La Cruz," Pallante said. “I thought my fastball was really good against him. I trusted it and got it inside.”
Frankie Montas (3-6), who signed as a free agent in the offseason, allowed one run on two hits in six innings.
“I thought it was a really good game by both sides,” Montas said. “I was throwing strikes today, attacking the hitters. I wasn't being too predictable.”
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas throws during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
The Cardinals scored on a sacrifice fly to short center by Burleson in the third inning. Shortstop De La Cruz caught the ball with his back to the infield. Michael Siani led off with a double and took third on a ground out.
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Brandon Crawford throws to first after forcing out Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer at second base, on a double play hit into by Nick Martini during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
“I've played with Elly,” Siani said. “I know how talented he is. I know he's going after the ball. I know he was pretty far out there. In that spot, take a chance and go. I mean, he's got to make a perfect throw to get me out. Play aggressive.”
TRANSACTIONS
Reds: Selected C Austin Wynns from Triple A-Louisville. They also placed C Tyler Stephenson on the paternity list, and designated OF Peyton Burdick for assignment.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, left, catches a popup hit by St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson as Cincinnati Reds left fielder Stuart Fairchild, right, watches in the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
Cardinals: Called up RHP Gordon Graceffo, the team’s No. 8 prospect and a fifth-round pick in 2021, from Triple-A Memphis. He was 8-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 14 starts. … Optioned RHP Kyle Leahy to Memphis.
TRAINERS ROOM
Reds: OF Jake Fraley (right calf contusion) and 3B Jeimer Candelario (hamstring tendinitis) each missed their third straight game. Neither player is expected to require an IL stint.
Cardinals: OF Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain) began a rehab assignment at Double-A Springfield on Friday. He was hurt May 29.
UP NEXT
Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray (9-4, 2.81) was set to start Saturday against RHP Carson Spiers (1-1, 3.45).
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Nick Martinez throws in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)
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St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher JoJo Romero throws in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, June 28, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)