WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Chris Carpenter had 5 2/3 shutout innings Wednesday in pulling St. Louis to within one win of a playoff series win as the Cardinals beat Washington 8-0.
St. Louis can wrap up the best-of-five division series with a win Thursday. Washington, hosting its first baseball playoff game in 79 years, lost by eight runs for the second consecutive game after winning the series opener 3-2.
Carpenter didn't win a game in the regular season because he missed most of the season due to surgery. However, he improved to 10-2 lifetime in the post-season. He scattered seven hits and didn't retire the side in order but also didn't allow a run.
He was supported by a three-run home run from Pete Kozma in the second inning as the Cardinals continued their success against former teammate Edwin Jackson. Late in the regular season, St. Louis rapped Jackson for nine runs in 1 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings Wednesday.
The Cardinals got a two-out double from Allen Craig to drive in Matt Holliday for a run in the first and went up 4-0 the next inning with Kozma's home run.
Yadier Molina scored on a sacrifice fly in the sixth and walked with the bases loaded in the seven to make the score 6-0. Holiday capped a two-out rally in the eighth with a two-run double.
