Chris Carpenter's first game since signing a two-year, $21 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals ended with yet another no-decision in a season that's seen him victimized by defensive mishaps—Albert Pujols made three errors—and low run support—but it was largely a successful outing for Carpenter, who kept himself in the game early by driving in two runs on a liner into the outfield.
Carpenter struck out six and walked just one in seven innings of work, but he also allowed four runs on two home runs. Arthur Rhodes, Kyle McClellan, and new closer-by-default Jason Motte wrapped things up. Yadier Molina, Jon Jay, and Nick Punto—who drove in the game-winner—contributed on offense with doubles, while Daniel Descalso went 3-3. Pujols went 1-4 with an RBI to keep his batting average at .297.
The Cardinals got to Jeff Karstens, the Pittsburgh Pirates' first-half ace, early, tagging him for seven hits and four runs in just over four innings of work. They couldn't get to the Pirates' bullpen until closer Joel Hanrahan failed to record a strikeout in the top of the ninth inning. Jason Motte earned the save after the Pirates nearly loaded the bases with nobody out, thanks to an outstanding throw from Molina and a double play to end it.