All-Star starter Chris Carpenter outpitched Roger Clemens to become the National League's first 14-game winner on Sunday.
The St. Louis right-hander tossed a three-hitter and inadvertently played a major role in his team's big inning, leading the Cardinals to a 3-0 victory which completed a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros.
In his last eight starts since June 3, Carpenter (14-4) has allowed only five runs in 64 2-3 innings for a microscopic 0.70 ERA. This was his third shutout in that span, and his fourth of the season.
Carpenter struck out nine and walked none, giving him 68 strikeouts and 11 walks in 66 2-3 innings in his last eight outings.
Clemens (7-4), the 2004 NL All-Star game starter, entered with a major league best 1.48 ERA and was almost as good. The exception was the Cardinals' three-run second, fueled by a pair of walks, Scott Rolen's RBI double and first baseman Mike Lamb's throwing error that allowed two runs to score.
Clemens lasted seven innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He struck out only one.
Reds 9, Rockies 4
At Cincinnati, Javier Valentin hit his first career grand slam and a three-run homer, connecting from both sides of the plate, and Sean Casey and Ken Griffey Jr. also connected as the Reds completed a three-game sweep of Colorado.
The Reds scored all nine runs with two outs, all off four homers.
Casey and Griffey Jr. homered on consecutive pitches, starting a six-run rally in the sixth off a stunned Jamey Wright (5-10). The right-hander had allowed only one hit to that point.
Griffey hit his 521st homer, moving into a tie with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey for 14th on the MLB career list. Griffey hit a solo homer in each game of the series.
Ramon Ortiz (5-6) gave up four runs in 6 1-3 innings.
Mets 8, Braves 1
At New York, Pedro Martinez held Atlanta to two hits over six innings and the Mets earned a split of the four-game series.
The Mets broke the game open with a four-run second inning against Mike Hampton (4-2), and Martinez (11-3) coasted to victory, throwing just 61 pitches for his ninth win in 11 decisions. He struck out five and lifted his National League-leading total to 143.
Hampton was activated from the disabled list before the game and made his first start since May 31. He lasted just two innings allowing five runs on seven hits. He has had two stints on the DL this season because of a strained left forearm.
Cubs 8, Pirates 2
At Chicago, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez hit solo home runs, Carlos Zambrano pitched eight solid innings and the Cubs beat Pittsburgh.
Ramirez had three hits for the Cubs, who took three of four from the Pirates during the four-game series and have won six of their last seven games.
Lee's homer was his 28th, breaking a tie with Atlanta's Andruw Jones for the NL lead. Jeromy Burnitz had three of Chicago's 15 hits and also homered for Chicago.
Zambrano (7-4) allowed one unearned run and five hits. He struck out four, walked four and drove in two runs with a double.
Kip Wells (6-10) was the loser.
Giants 4, Dodgers 1
At Los Angeles, Michael Tucker hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, Ray Durham also homered, and San Francisco beat Los Angeles to take three of four from the defending NL West champs.
Giants slugger Barry Bonds, who has been rehabilitating his right knee in Los Angeles, visited with his teammates for the first time during their four-day visit to Dodger Stadium. But he gave no timetable for his return.
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