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Cardinals hand ball to Carpenter in Cincy

Jul 16, 2011 - 3:06 PM (Sports Network) - Chris Carpenter has had immense success against the Reds. The Cardinals are hoping the right-hander's recent winning streak can help overcome the thought of last night's bullpen collapse.

Carpenter is 13-4 with a 2.29 ERA in 21 starts against the Reds. This season he has gone 1-1 in his three starts, holding a 3.98 ERA. That loss on May 15 was his first against the Reds since June 6, 2006, following a personal 10- game winning streak.

The owner of a three-game winning streak over his last four starts, Carpenter is coming off a no-decision against Arizona on July 9. In that game, he allowed nine hits and four earned runs in six innings. He needs three more strikeouts to tie Jesse Haines (979) for fifth all-time among Cardinals pitchers and eight to equal him with Matt Morris for fourth place (986).

Brandon Phillips belted a walkoff two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning Friday to lift the Reds to a 6-5 victory in the opener of this three- game series at Great American Ball Park.

"It's unbelievable, especially having the lead two separate times and then having Brandon hit the home run," Reds outfielder Chris Heisey said. "It's a great way to start the second half."

Albert Pujols had given the Cardinals a 5-4 edge with a two-run blast in the eighth inning, but the Reds rallied and drew first blood in this three-game series. Tonight they can get their first two-game winning streak since capturing three in a row, June 13-15.

Bronson Arroyo, who has lost his last three decisions against the Cardinals, will be on the hill tonight for the Reds. Arroyo is 7-11 with a 4.67 ERA in 29 games (27 starts) lifetime against St. Louis, but hasn't won against the NL Central foe since May 16 last year. That represents a five-game winless stretch vs. the Cardinals.

Arroyo hasn't fared well lately, giving up an astounding eight homers over his last three games, but he's 1-1 in that time. The righty, who didn't get a decision in a 6 1/3 inning start at St. Louis on July 6, has allowed 18 earned runs over his last 17 1/3 innings, covering the aforementioned three-start span. His 25 homers surrendered this season are most in the majors.

Last night's result dropped the Cardinals into a first-place tie with Pittsburgh in the NL Central. The Reds are three games back.

The Reds have won six of 10 over the Cardinals this season, including a three- game sweep at home from May 13-15.