St. Louis ? Chris Carpenter started ahead of Roger Clemens in the All-Star game, then topped him again a few days later.

The St. Louis right-hander outpitched Clemens to become the NL’s first 14-game winner. He tossed a three-hitter and inadvertently played a major role in his team’s big inning, leading the Cardinals to a 3-0 victory Sunday that completed a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa picked Carpenter to start for the NL on Tuesday over more heralded choices such as Clemens.

“I don’t concern myself with what Roger does,” Carpenter said. “The only thing I can do is give my team a chance to win and beat their lineup. Not beat Roger.”

In his last eight starts, beginning with a victory June 3 at Houston, Carpenter (14-4) has allowed only five runs in 642â3 innings for a 0.70 earned-run average. This was his third shutout in that span, and his fourth of the season. It was also his fourth complete game this year and 17th of his career.

He’s tied with Jon Garland of the White Sox, who won his 14th game Sunday, for the major-league lead.

“It’s always location. You run the ball down in the strike zone, you’re going to get outs,” Carpenter said. “I was able to get strike one to a lot of guys, which puts me on the aggressive and them on the defensive.”

St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter cools off between innings. The Cardinals beat the Astros, 3-0, Sunday in Houston.

Carpenter went to three three-ball counts and allowed only singles to Craig Biggio in the first, Brad Ausmus in the third and Mike Lamb in the fifth. The first two easily were erased.

Lance Berkman followed Biggio’s hit with a double-play ball, and Ausmus was an easy out trying to go for a double. The game lasted only 1 hour, 59 minutes.

Reds 9, Rockies 4

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.

Mets 8, Braves 1

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.

Phillies 8, Marlins 4

Philadelphia – Vicente Padilla allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings and hit a two-run triple off struggling Dontrelle Willis. Mike Lieberthal homered, and Tomas Perez doubled in two runs off Willis (13-5).

Brewers 5, Nationals 3

Milwaukee – Tomo Ohka pitched seven strong innings against his former Washington teammates. Derrick Turnbow pitched a perfect ninth for his 19th save in 21 opportunities.

Cubs 8, Pirates 2

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.

Giants 4, Dodgers 1

Los Angeles – Michael Tucker hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning, Ray Durham also homered, and San Francisco beat the Dodgers to take three of four from the defending NL West champs. Dodgers closer Yhency Brazoban (2-4) gave up the homer to Tucker.

D’backs 6, Padres 1

San Diego – Chad Tracy had the first two-homer game of his career, and Brad Halsey pitched six strong innings to lead Arizona.

Tracy hit a solo homer in the third inning off Tim Stauffer (3-5) and connected against Chris Hammond with a two-run shot that gave Arizona a 4-1 lead in the seventh.

Halsey (6-7) held the Padres to one run on five hits, striking out four and walking three.