ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds managed just three hits and were shut out for the 10th time this season, falling 7-0 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night at Busch Stadium.
St. Louis scored in the first inning when Alec Burleson lined an RBI single to left to bring home JJ Wetherholt.
The Cardinals then broke the game open with a six-run sixth inning. Iván Herrera started the rally with a two-run double before Bryan Torres added an RBI single. Blaze Jordan followed with a two-run single, and Nathan Church capped the scoring with a sacrifice bunt that plated Torres for the 7-0 lead.
The Reds' offense never found its rhythm against Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, who allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out eight. St. Louis pitchers combined to strike out 12 Cincinnati batters.
Hunter Greene took the loss, allowing seven runs, six earned, on eight hits over 5? innings.
Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart and JJ Bleday accounted for Cincinnati's only hits.
The Reds mounted one final threat in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs, but couldn't push a run across.
The shutout was Cincinnati's 10th of the season, tied for the most in Major League Baseball.
The Reds and Cardinals will meet in the rubber match of the three-game series Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 1:45 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.
