PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Allen Craig homered twice and Chris Carpenter hurled eight shutout innings for St. Louis Sunday and the Cardinals posted a 5-0 win over Philadelphia.
Craig came in to score on an Albert Pujols blast in the first inning, then added a two-run shot of his own in the sixth and a solo homer in the eighth for the Cardinals, who used the victory to gain ground in the National League wild card chase.
Carpenter (10-9) scattered eight hits and a walk, and struck out five for St. Louis, which pulled to within 3 1/2 games of the wild-card leading Atlanta Braves.
Cole Hamels (14-9) was saddled with the loss, surrendering four runs on seven hits over seven frames as the Phillies turned in a flat performance one day after clinching their fifth straight NL East title.
