Paul Goldschmidt hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the eighth inning to lift the St. Louis Cardinals past the visiting Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on Wednesday.
Nolan Arenado hit a home run for the Cardinals (73-72).
In his first game since returning from the 15-day injured list, Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn allowed one run on five hits in five innings. He struck out seven and walked one while reaching the 2,000-inning milestone in his career.
Relievers Matthew Liberatore, Andrew Kittredge, JoJo Romero and Ryan Helsley took it from there. Romero (7-2) got the victory and Helsley earned his 44th save.
Reds starting pitcher Brandon Williamson allowed one run on three hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Buck Farmer (3-1) took the loss for the Reds (71-76), whose three-game winning streak ended.
Williamson got a double play to avoid first-inning danger. Masyn Winn walked leading off, stole second with one out and went to third on Goldschmidt’s single.
But Arenado grounded into a double play.
Cincinnati opened the third inning with singles by Jake Fraley and Noelvi Marte. But Lynn struck out the next three batters.
The Reds broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning. Spencer Steer hit a leadoff double, stole third base with two outs and scored on Santiago Espinal’s single.
Arenado’s homer in the bottom of the inning tied the score 1-1.
Marte drew a leadoff walk in the fifth inning, stole second base as Luke Maile struck out, and took third on Jonathan India’s single. But Lynn retired the next two batters.
The Cardinals moved 2-1 ahead in the eighth inning. Michael Siani led off with a single and stole second base.
With one out, Farmer hit pinch hitter Alec Burleson with a pitch. Goldschmidt smacked an RBI double off the left field wall, then Arenado was given an intentional walk to load the bases.
Justin Wilson came on to retire the next two batters to end the rally, but the lead held up.