The Cardinals jumped out early with four runs in the first inning against Milwaukee ace Yovani Gallardo and veteran Carpenter held firm under pressure to give St. Louis a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game Four is in St. Louis on Thursday.

With bad blood between Carpenter and Milwaukee stemming from a regular season confrontation, and fueled by disparaging comments from the Brewers prior to the series, the big right-hander was squarely in the spotlight.

After Carpenter allowed two runs in the second inning and a solo home run to Mark Kotsay in the third to cut the lead to one, he struck out Rickie Weeks with two outs and two men on in the fifth to put a stamp on his emotional night.

Carpenter walked three batters and allowed six hits during his five innings and the St. Louis bullpen dominated the rest of the way, closing with 12 straight outs to end the game.