Cardinals pitchers reach milestones in series finale win over Reds

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMIZ)

Lance Lynn and Ryan Helsley entered some elite company after their dominant performances helped lift the Cardinals to a 2-0 win over the Reds on Sunday, securing a four-game series split.

Lynn surpassed 1,000 career strikeouts in a St. Louis uniform, becoming one of just six players in franchise history to achieve that feat. The 37-year-old veteran pitcher joined Chris Carpenter, Dizzy Dean, Bob Forsch, Bob Gibson and Adam Wainwright as the franchise's only players to post at least 1,000 strikeouts. Lynn's major milestone highlighted his brilliant outing in Sunday's series finale. He tossed six shutout innings, giving up only two hits and striking out six batters.

After the Cardinals' starting pitcher recorded his landmark strikeout in just the second inning, the team's closer left their own mark on the history of the franchise to end the game. Ryan Helsley notched his league-leading 30th save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning, tying Lee Smith's club record for the most saves in a single season before the All-Star break.

Alec Burleson and Masyn Winn delivered the game's only run-scoring hits in the fifth and sixth inning respectively. The Cardinals' shortstop posted two of the team's seven hits, including an RBI double, and his fellow rookie teammate Pedro Pagés ended the afternoon with a game-high three hits.

Up next - the Redbirds will enjoy a day off before hitting the road for a three-game set in Pittsburgh. The first pitch of the series is scheduled for Tuesday, July 2 at 5:40 p.m.