Mason Montgomery was perfect in protecting a one-run lead in the ninth Sunday against the Cardinals.

He was perfect, but his streak of 29 appearances with a strikeout concluded, as he induced two groundouts and an infield fly today. He’d fanned 55 of 106 batters in 27 2/3 innings since his previous K-less appearance on June 13. Montgomery is up to seven saves and is very clearly the preferred choice to close in Pittsburgh right now.