Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter picked up his first win on one of the toughest starts of his career. Carpenter went seven innings, but gave up a career high 13 hits, but managed to get the win in a 6-4 final at Wrigley Field.
The good news is all 13 hits were singles. With a two run lead in the 7th inning, Carpenter got tagged for two runs as the Cubs tied the game at 4-4. In the eighth inning, Daniel Descalso ripped a two run single to right with two strikes and the bases loaded and two outs off reliever Kerry Wood to give the Cardinals their two run advantage. Albert Pujols, who went 4 for 5, reached on an infield single and after a walk to Matt Holliday, they both moved up on a fly out from Lance Berkman. Yadier Molina was intentionally walked and Nick Punto lined out to left. Descalso missed on a high fastball from Wood, and when he tried to go back upstairs, Descalso jumped on it.
Ryan Theriot, in his return to Chicago went 0 for 4, but had a sac fly in the 7th which gave the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.
Manager Tony LaRussa was not in the dugout last night and he will be out indefinitely. He’s in Arizona getting treated for shingles. He was missed diagnosed with pink eye early in the season, but his right eye area has not been responding to treatments.
