TJ Friedl had a two-run single and scored Cincinnati's other run, all in the fifth inning, as the Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 on Tuesday night.
“TJ came through with a big hit,” Cincinnati manager David Bell said. “You never know if it's going to be enough.”
The Reds' Elly De La Cruz stole two bases after walking in the first inning, raising his MLB-leading total to 64 stolen bases. He was thrown out in the third inning when the Cardinals pitched out.
“He's been showing that all year,” Bell said. “He had great at-bats tonight to create those opportunities on the bases. He can make things happen, but it all starts with the at-bats.”
Rhett Lowder (1-1) earned his first win in his third big-league appearance. The 22-year-old right-hander, who was a first-round pick in the 2023 draft, worked five scoreless inning and finished with three strikeouts and no walks.
Emilio Pagán pitched the ninth for his first save this season and 33rd of his career. He loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before striking out the next three batters — rookies Jordan Walker and Thomas Saggese and then pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter.
Five Reds pitchers combined for the team's sixth shutout this season.
“We didn't have a whole lot going on the whole game," St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “We didn't string anything together in that whole game. We had a little life there at the end potentially pulling something off, but it just wasn't enough today.
Andre Pallante (6-8) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out six, with five walks, a balk and a wild pitch.
After stranding six runners through four innings, the Reds broke through with three runs in the fifth off Pallante.
Jonathan India walked and De La Cruz singled. A wild pitch advanced both runners. With one out, Friedl singled through the hole at shortstop, driving in both runners. Friedl’s single snapped an 0-for-8 skid. Friedl went to third on a balk and stolen base and scored on a high chopper to Pallante, who could only throw to first for an out.
Red manager David Bell was ejected in the sixth inning after De La Cruz was called out on strikes. It was Bell’s fifth ejection this season and 32nd in his career.
Brendan Donovan had three singles in four at-bats for the Cardinals.
TRANSACTIONS
Cardinals: Recalled INF Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis. Optioned OF Victor Scott II to Memphis. Saggese was in the lineup Tuesday, hitting seventh and playing shortstop. The 22-year-old Saggese was acquired from Texas last summer in the Jordan Montgomery trade.
TRAINING ROOM
Reds: 2B Jonathan India (left elbow discomfort) returned to the lineup Tuesday. He left Sunday’s game against the New York Mets after striking out in the sixth inning.
Cardinals: INF Brendan Donovan (foot infection) missed the last two games. He returned to the lineup playing second base and leading off. … RHP Lance Lynn (knee strain) will be activated Wednesday and will start.
UP NEXT
Lance Lynn (6-4, 4.06 ERA) is 9-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 10 career starts (11 appearances) against Cincinnati at Busch Stadium. The Reds have not announced a starter.
Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz, left, is caught stealing by St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
