Buoyed by five first inning Cardinal runs, Chris Carpenter had his best start of the season Wednesday, striking out 11 in a two-hit shutout of the Astros, as the Cardinals pulled out an 8-0 victory to hold serve with the Braves in the National League Wild Card race. Carpenter was overpowering in his second shutout of the month and 15th of his career, never allowing a runner past first base as he surrendered just two singles. The 11 strikeouts were a season high, while the nine innings give him 237 1/3 on the year. That's the second highest total of his career, and the most for any National League pitcher this season. If the Cardinals eventually advance to the NLDS, Carpenter will get the Phillies in game three in St. Louis.