ST. LOUIS, Mo. (WMDJ) — The Cincinnati Reds used a three-run 10th inning to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Sunday afternoon, securing their third consecutive series victory.

The Cardinals struck first on José Fermín's sacrifice fly in the second inning, but Elly De La Cruz answered with a solo home run in the third, his 18th of the season. St. Louis regained the lead later in the inning on Iván Herrera's solo shot before Ke'Bryan Hayes tied the game again with a solo homer in the fifth.

After both bullpens kept the game tied through nine innings, the Reds broke through in the 10th. Pinch-hitter Sal Stewart, making his first appearance off the bench this season, lined a go-ahead RBI single to right to score Tyler Stephenson. Nathaniel Lowe followed with a two-run single, extending Cincinnati's lead to 5-2.

The Cardinals scored once in the bottom of the 10th on Alec Burleson's RBI single, but Julian Garcia recorded the final outs to earn the first save of his major league career.

Brock Burke picked up the victory in relief after throwing 1? scoreless innings. Garcia became the 12th different Reds pitcher to record a save this season, the club's highest total since 1969.

The Reds have now won three straight series, taking two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and Cardinals.

Cincinnati returns home Monday to begin a three-game Ohio Cup series against the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians currently lead the season series 2-1, meaning the Reds must sweep the series to claim the Ohio Cup. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 6:40 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.