Romero got the call in the ninth inning on Tuesday to close out the game against the A’s with a one-run lead. He tossed a clean frame, striking out one batter on his way to his sixth save of the season to go with a 2.13 ERA across 49 2/3 innings.

Riley O’Brien was tasked with the middle of the order in the eighth and got through it with only a hit batsman. That left seven, eight and nine for Romero, who induced a double-play ball after a leadoff single and then retired Isiah Kiner-Falefa to end the game. He now has five saves to O’Brien’s two since Ryan Helsley was traded.

Romero entered with the Cardinals leading 7-4 in the eighth inning and quickly set down the Rays in order — including a pair of strikeouts. He then returned for the ninth inning and though he allowed a two-out single to Junior Caminero, he would be left stranded at second base. The 28-year-old southpaw has done a very nice job for the Cardinals this season, registering a 2.31 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 45/21 K/BB ratio across 46 2/3 innings of work.

Riley O’Brien likely would have closed tonight, but the Cardinals added three runs to make it a five-run game in the ninth and then used Jorge Alcala to finish it up.