ST. LOUIS, 19 July 2005 — Chris Carpenter pitched a complete game three-hitter to outduel Roger Clemens as the St. Louis Cardinals blanked the Houston Astros 3-0 in National League play in St. Louis on Sunday.

Carpenter (14-4), the starting pitcher in today’s All-Star Game, was in complete control for the entire game, striking out nine without walking a batter in a 114-pitch effort.

He became the first NL pitcher to win 14 games this season as St. Louis won its fourth straight game and ninth in the past 11 to complete a three-game series sweep.

In his last eight starts Carpenter has allowed just five runs. It was his third shutout in that span, his fourth of the season and also his fourth complete game of the year and 17th of his career.

Carpenter’s ground out in the second inning also led to an error by first baseman Mike Lamb that allowed two runs to score, as the Cardinals made the most of only five hits in the game, which took just an hour and 59 minutes to play.

Clemens (7-4) took another hard-luck loss, allowing three runs — just one earned — on five hits over seven innings while lowering his ERA to 1.47. He struck out one and walked two.

Scott Rolen doubled in the other St. Louis run in the three-run second inning, while So Taguchi had two hits and scored a run for the Cardinals.

In other NL games, Mike Cameron hit a two-run homer as the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 8-1 in New York.

Pedro Martinez (11-3) pitched six innings, allowing two hits and striking out five for the win.

Mike Hampton (4-2) pitched two innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and striking out two to take the loss. Andruw Jones had two hits for the Braves.

In Cincinnati, Javier Valentin hit a grand slam and a three-run homer as the Reds bet the Colorado Rockies 9-4.

Ramon Ortiz (5-6) pitched 6-1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out six for the win. Sean Casey and Ken Griffey Jr. homered for the Reds.

Valentin, who drove in seven runs, is the first Reds switch-hitter to homer from both sides of the plate since 1967, when Pete Rose did it against Atlanta. Jamey Wright (5-10) pitched six innings, allowing six runs on five hits, walking four and striking out five to take the loss. J D Closser and Cory Sullivan homered for the Rockies.

In Philadelphia, Vincente Padilla pitched seven solid innings as the Phillies beat the Florida Marlins 8-4. Padilla (5-8) allowed two hits, walking two and striking out five. Mike Lieberthal homered for the Phillies.

Dontrelle Willis (13-5) pitched 5-2/3 innings, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and striking out two to take the loss. Juan Pierre had two hits for the Marlins.

In Milwaukee, Geoff Jenkins drove in two runs as the Brewers beat the Washington Nationals 5-3. Tomo Ohka (6-4) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out four for the win. Derrick Turnbow pitched one inning for his 19th save.

Ryan Drese (7-8) pitched three innings, allowing five runs - three earned - on five hits and walking one to take the loss. Jose Guillen homered for the Nationals.

In Chicago, Carlos Zambrano pitched eight solid innings, as the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2.

Zambrano (7-4) allowed one run on five hits, walking four and striking out four. Derrek Lee, Jeromy Burnitz and Aramis Ramirez homered for the Cubs.

Kip Wells (6-10) pitched 2-2/3 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, walking one and striking out two to take the loss. Jose Castillo had two hits and drove in one run for the Pirates.

In San Diego, Chad Tracy homered twice as the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Padres 6-1.

Brad Halsey (6-7) pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits, walking three and striking out four for the win. Jose Valverde pitched two innings for his second save.

Tim Stauffer (3-5) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out two to take the loss. Xavier Nady had two hits for the Padres.

In Los Angeles, Michael Tucker hit a three-run homer as the San Francisco Giants beat the Dodgers 4-1.

Scott Eyre (2-1) pitched one inning, allowing one hit for the win. LaTroy Hawkins pitched one inning for his fifth save and Ray Durham homered for the Giants.

Yhency Brazoban (2-4) pitched one inning, allowing three runs on two hits to take the loss. Rickey Ledee had two hits for the Dodgers.