Chris Carpenter tossed a complete-game, four-hit shutout leading the Cardinals past the Reds 5-0, and snapping a five-game losing streak.
St. Louis deperately needed the win after being swept on the road against the National League’s worst Pirates. Their lead over the Reds wass down to 1.5 games and tension was mounting. Making the situation even more intimidating, the Reds came into Tuesday’s game 8-4 against the Birds this season. Carpenter (11-6) already lost twice to the Reds this season. But lucky for St. Louis, Carpenter looked more like the 2005 Cy Young winner and not the up-and-down Carpenter they’ve seen all year long.
Ronnie Belliard chipped in at the plate going 3-for-3 with two RBI. Chris Duncan also had three hits. His two-run homer in the fifth put the Cardinals up 4-0.
Aaron Harang fell to 12-8 after giving up five runs and eight hits in five innings.
NEWS AND NOTES: Cardinals CF Jim Edmonds left the game in the top of the fifth inning because of blurred vision and dizziness. He underwent an MRI Tuesday night, but the results weren’t released.
Mark Mulder will make his third rehab start Thursday. The left-hander will take the mound in Oklahoma City for AAA-Memphis.
The Cardinals optioned reliever Brad Thompson and promoted outfielder Timo Perez to the majors.