ST. LOUIS, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Chris Carpenter threw his first complete game of the season in his final start of the campaign Thursday, lifting St. Louis to a 6-1 victory over Colorado.
Carpenter (16-9) gave up only four hits and struck out four to bring the Cardinals their fourth win in five games. The only run he allowed came on a wild pitch in the sixth inning after the Cardinals had built a 5-0 lead.
Albert Pujols drove in the first St. Louis run in the opening inning and the Cardinals added two in the second on an RBI single by Brendan Ryan and a sacrifice fly from Skip Schumaker.
Matt Pagnozzi had two RBI, one coming on a ground out in the third and another on a single in the seventh.
Jason Hammel (10-9) was charged with the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits in three innings.
The complete game was the 29th of Carpenter's 14-year career. He had lost his four previous starts.
