Chris Carpenter did it all for the Cardinals, not only striking out six but driving in six runs as the Cardinals beat the Reds 13-0 Thursday afternoon. Carpenter hit a grand slam and a double and he locked himself in for the National League ERA title.
Carpenter went deep off Kip Wells in the second inning, the first home run of his career. Hard to believe, but it is the 10th grand slam by a Cardinals pitcher according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The last Cardinals pitcher to hit a grand slam was Kent Mercker on Sept. 2, 1998. Joe Magrane is also the last Cardinal to win the ERA title, back in 1988. Carpenter allowed three hits and a walk, striking out five, to end the season with a 2.24 ERA.
