ST. LOUIS, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Matt Carpenter's RBI single in the eighth inning accounted for the game's only run Wednesday, giving St. Louis a 1-0 win over Cincinnati.
In a season-ending meeting of playoff-bound teams, five St. Louis pitchers teamed to produce a three-hit shutout.
St. Louis, which finished nine games behind division-winning Cincinnati in the National League Central, will travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves in a one-game wild card playoff Friday. The winner of that contest will face Washington in the division round while Cincinnati will take on San Francisco.
Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey, who threw a no-hitter in his previous start, struck out six and gave up four hits over four innings while not figuring in the decision.
Victor Marte (3-2), the third St. Louis pitcher, was credited with the win after working the seventh inning. Jason Motte recorded the last two outs for his 42nd save.
The Cardinals scored their run off Jonathan Broxton (4-5), who gave up a one-out, infield single to Shane Robinson in the eighth. Skip Schumaker then walked and Carpenter singled home Robinson on an 0-1 pitch.
