St. Louis ? Chris Carpenter kept the St. Louis Cardinals’ unsung rotation humming.

Carpenter allowed four hits in 71/3 scoreless innings, and the Cardinals used a three-run fourth to beat the Florida Marlins, 4-0, Saturday.

A starting five that totaled 42 victories last year has averaged nearly seven innings in the first five games of a six-game homestand and contributed to four victories.

“People were really half-hearted listening to us when we were going to spring training, seeing what we had to work with,” catcher Mike Matheny said. “If they continue to put out the performances they’ve had, we’re going to have a lot of people saying a lot of things about this staff.”

Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds and Edgar Renteria drove in a run apiece in the fourth inning against Darren Oliver, and Matheny had two hits and an RBI as the Cardinals moved three games above .500 for the first time this season at 20-17.

“It’s real good if we build on it,” manager Tony La Russa said. “If this is the best week of the season, it’s not going to be too good.”

The NL East-leading Marlins have totaled two runs in losing the first two games of the three-game series. They’re averaging just over three runs in their last 11 games.

Carpenter (4-1) controlled the Marlins with a sinking fastball that resulted in only one flyball out, continuing his comeback after missing all of last season following shoulder surgery. He struck out five, walked two and benefited from three double plays, pitching to only three batters above the minimum through seven innings before tiring.

“When he got in a bind, he didn’t just make strike pitches,” Matheny said. “He thought about what he was trying to do and he executed.”

Cubs 7, Padres 5

San Diego — Sammy Sosa hit his 549th home run to pass Mike Schmidt and take sole possession of ninth place on the career list, leading Chicago over San Diego. The two-run shot off Adam Eaton with two outs in the fifth inning was estimated at 434 feet, the longest homer in 21 games at Petco Park. The ball landed in the far end of the third-floor balcony of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building, which helps form the left-field corner.

Expos 5, D’backs 0

Phoenix — Claudio Vargas scattered six hits in seven-plus scoreless innings, and Montreal beat Arizona for the second night in a row. Rookie Terrmel Sledge fell a double shy of the cycle, with a single, an RBI triple and a solo home run for Montreal. Tony Batista drove in three runs with a pair of doubles.

Pirates 6, Giants 4

San Francisco — Craig Wilson homered, Josh Fogg pitched five-plus strong innings for his first win of the season, and Pittsburgh held on for a victory over San Francisco. Jason Kendall drove in three runs, and Jason Bay added a two-run single for the Pirates, who welcomed back manager Lloyd McClendon after he served a one-game suspension during Friday night’s game. The Pirates have won three straight and four of five.

Reds 4, Dodgers 0

Los Angeles — Ken Griffey Jr. hit a two-run homer, and Todd Van Poppel combined with three relievers on a six-hitter, helping Cincinnati beat Los Angeles. Van Poppel (2-1) pitched six innings and allowed five hits while striking out one and walking one.

Braves 11, Brewers 6

Milwaukee — Johnny Estrada had a career-high five hits and five RBIs to lead Atlanta, but the win was overshadowed by an injury to Marcus Giles. The second baseman broke his collarbone in a collision with center fielder Andruw Jones in the first inning while chasing a popup and will be sidelined six to eight weeks. The Braves said Giles, an All-Star last season, also suffered a mild concussion and a bruised right hand.

Astros 7, Mets 4

Houston — Andy Pettitte won his fourth straight game and drove in a run, and Houston stopped a three-game losing streak. Adam Everett hit a two-run homer, and Jeff Kent was 2-for-4 with two RBIs as the Astros ended the Mets’ three-game streak.

Phillies 16, Rockies 5

Denver — Bobby Abreu homered and drove in a season-high five runs, and Jimmy Rollins had four of Philadelphia’s season-high 18 hits in the Phillies’ rout of Colorado. The Phillies, who also had a season high for runs, improved to 7-1 on their 10-game road trip. They have won nine of their last 12 overall.