NEW YORK, 15 June 2006 — Chris Carpenter struck out a career-high 13 batters in seven scoreless innings as the St. Louis Cardinals edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 in National League play Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
Carpenter has battled shoulder problems at times this season but he showed the form Tuesday that won him the Cy Young Award last season with a 21-5 record after spending some time on the disabled list earlier this season.
“My stuff was as good as it has ever been,” Carpenter told reporters.
“My mechanics have been off since last year because of the problems I’ve had, but they’re starting to come back and I’m feeling better than I have in quite awhile.” Scott Rolen scored the first St. Louis run after he doubled and came home on a single by Juan Encarnacion in the fourth, then doubled in the winning run in the fifth to complete the Cards scoring.
Rolen went 4-for-4 with two doubles and has been torrid at the plate since Albert Pujols went on the DL, hitting .481 since June 4.
Carpenter (5-3) allowed just three hits and walked just three in his best start since April, leaving the game after seven innings with a 2-0 lead. Braden Looper came on in the eighth and got two outs before Randy Flores got the final out of the eighth. Closer Jason Isringhausen allowed two hits and a sacrifice fly to Craig Wilson in a nervous ninth, but still managed to get the final three outs for his 21st save of the season and 161st of his career.
Freddy Sanchez had two hits for the Pirates.
In Philadelphia, David Wright, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran all homered as the New York Mets edged the Phillies 9-7.
The Mets pounded out 13 hits, including three by Delgado, while Paul LoDuca added two hits and drove in two runs for the AL East leading Mets. Chad Bradford (3-2), the second of five New York pitchers, got two outs in relief and was credited with the win while Billy Wagner got the final five outs for his 13th save in his first appearance against his former team in Philadelphia.
