Cardinals continue to roll, blank Reds

Andre Pallante and four relievers combined on a four-hitter as the St. Louis Cardinals shut out the visiting Cincinnati Reds 1-0 Friday.

Pallante (4-3) allowed four hits in 5 1/3 innings while walking three and striking out five. He has thrown 11 1/3 scoreless innings in his two starts against the Reds this season.

Ryan Fernandez, JoJo Romero, Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Helsley covered the last 3 2/3 innings as the Cardinals won for the sixth time in their last eight games.

Helsley converted his 29th straight save opportunity to extend his team record.

Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas (3-6) allowed one run on two hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked three.

The Cardinals scored the game's only run in the third inning. Michael Siani hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a groundout.

After Willson Contreras walked, Alec Burleson hit a sacrifice fly to shortstop Elly De La Cruz in shallow center field. Contreras took second on the throw home, but Montas retired Paul Goldschmidt on a groundout to limit the damage.

The Reds loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning, but they failed to break through.

Will Benson walked with one out, stole second base, and went to third base on Stuart Fairchild's pop single into right field. After Luke Maile flied out, Jonathan India walked.

But De La Cruz grounded out to end the threat.

Pallante hit Spencer Steer leading off the sixth inning, then he walked Nick Martini. After Noelvi Marte flied out, Fernandez relieved Pallante and retired Santiago Espinal on a flyout before striking out Benson.

De La Cruz drew a leadoff walk in the eighth inning off Romero. He stole second base and took third on a flyout, but Kittredge came on to strike out Marte.

Fairchild made a bid to tie the game with two outs in the ninth inning, but Brendan Donovan made a leaping catch of his fly ball to the left field wall.

--Field Level Media