Chicago ? Chris Carpenter is baseball’s best pitcher, at least according to his manager.

Carpenter pitched another impressive complete game to become the first 17-game winner in the major leagues, and Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer Saturday in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Carpenter (17-4) threw an eight-hitter for his major-league-leading sixth complete game, striking out eight and walking none to lower his earned-run average to 2.25. The only blemish came in the third inning when he gave up a two-run homer to Aramis Ramirez.

“He pitched nine innings against a tough offensive club – that’s dominating,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “He had a 2-0 pitch to a terrific hitter and he hit the ball out of the state. But that’s the last run they got. That’s outstanding pitching. No disrespect to anybody in either league who’s doing great, but there’s nobody greater than Chris. He’s clutch.”

Carpenter gave up six hits in the first three innings, but quickly settled down to win his ninth straight decision. He retired 13 of 14 hitters between the third and seventh.

“I just try to continue to go out and give my team a chance to win,” Carpenter said. “With the defense and offense we have playing behind me, you’re going to win a lot of ballgames.”

Cubs manager Dusty Baker thought his team had some chances early against Carpenter.

“The guy can pitch, but we had an opportunity to beat him today, just like we had an opportunity to beat him in St. Louis, and he gets off the hook,” Baker said.

“He wasn’t sharp early. He hung some breaking balls we hit hard, but we didn’t find any holes.”

The Cubs have lost nine of 11.

The game started after a 2-hour, 42-minute rain delay.

Braves 9, D’backs 5

Atlanta – Chipper Jones had three hits, including a go-ahead double in the seventh inning, and Julio Franco drove in a season-high four runs to lead Atlanta.

Only 10 days shy of his 47th birthday, Franco hit a three-run homer to help the Braves avoid their first three-game home losing streak this year.

Mets 5, Dodgers 1

Los Angeles – Jae Seo pitched eight sharp innings, and New York got consecutive home runs from backup catcher Ramon Castro and emergency center fielder Gerald Williams in a victory over Los Angeles.

Pirates 1, Astros 0

Houston – Roger Clemens was foiled again by a lack of run support, and Jack Wilson homered off Brad Lidge in the ninth inning to give Pittsburgh a victory.

Clemens allowed two hits in eight shutout innings, lowering his major league-leading ERA to an incredible 1.32. He struck out nine and walked none, but the Astros couldn’t muster any offense against Kip Wells and two relievers.

Marlins 2, Giants 1

Miami – Josh Beckett pitched a four-hitter, and Carlos Delgado came off the disabled list to hit a go-ahead homer, helping Florida.

The Giants had five baserunners in the final two innings, but failed to score. After the first two batters reached in the ninth, Beckett retired Pedro Feliz, Edgardo Alfonzo and Todd Linden.

Reds 4, Brewers 1

Milwaukee – Cincinnati won its 10th consecutive road game, beating Milwaukee behind Ryan Freel’s two-run triple with two outs in the seventh.

The Reds, winners of five straight overall, have won 10 in a row on the road for the first time since 1998. No major-league team had won that many consecutive road games since Seattle won 13 straight in 2003.

Nationals 8, Rockies 0

Denver – Tony Armas Jr. allowed nine hits in six innings, and Nick Johnson had three hits and two RBIs to lead Washington.

Mike Stanton, Hector Carrasco and Joey Eischen completed the 17th combined shutout, and 30th overall, in 11 seasons of Coors Field. The Nationals, who had 13 hits, won for the fifth time in the last 17 road games since July 9.

Phillies 5, Padres 2

San Diego – Ryan Howard’s go-ahead RBI single was the third straight hit off Trevor Hoffman opening the ninth as Philadelphia beat San Diego.

The Padres dropped to .500 (58-58) but kept their three-game lead over Arizona, which lost, 9-5, at Atlanta.