Houston ? The Houston Astros can make almost any opposing pitcher look great these days. It was Chris Carpenter’s turn Friday night.

Carpenter pitched eight mostly dominant innings, and Albert Pujols hit a solo homer in the ninth, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-0 victory over the Astros.

“I was fortunate that we got a couple of runs, and I was able to get out of a couple of jams,” Carpenter said. “I made my pitches.”

Carpenter (8-3) became the latest pitcher to stifle the Astros’ punchless offense, striking out six and walking two for his fourth victory in five starts. Julian Tavarez got three outs for his third save.

Carpenter gave up eight hits and joined a list of starters that ranges from teammate Mark Mulder to Atlanta’s Tim Hudson to Milwaukee’s Doug Davis in keeping Houston scoreless for at least seven innings.

“He was outstanding,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “You have to give Houston some credit, though. They generated enough offense tonight that they shouldn’t have gotten shut out.”

The Astros have been shut out a major-league-leading 10 times this season, including a 9-0 loss Monday to Cincinnati’s Aaron Harang.

“I don’t know if we’re pressing or not,” said Astros shortstop Adam Everett, who went 3-for-3 with a double. “We had some opportunities today, and we hit the ball hard, but just right at someone.”

Jim Edmonds’ run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead, one that would prove too much to overcome for the worst-hitting club in the majors.

St. Louis reliever Julian Tavarez (50) and catcher Yadier Molina celebrate a victory over Houston. The Cardinals beat the Astros, 2-0, Friday in Houston.

Andy Pettitte (3-6) allowed five hits in seven innings, striking out five with no walks. But his solid effort was wasted – again – as the Astros came up with nothing against Carpenter.

Nationals 3, Marlins 2, 11 innings

Washington – Ryan Church drove in the winning run with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly off John Riedling in the 11th inning, lifting Washington.

Jamey Carroll walked to open the bottom of the 11th, and Jose Guillen hit a grounder to Nate Bump (0-3) that seemed destined for a rally-ending double play. But the reliever’s throw to second sailed over shortstop Alex Gonzalez’s head for an error. Matt Perisho then walked Nick Johnson to load the bases with no outs.

One out later, Church hit a shallow fly to left, and Carroll easily beat left fielder Miguel Cabrera’s throw to the plate, which was wide and short.

Pirates 3, Braves 1

Pittsburgh – Kip Wells threw shutout ball into the eighth inning and beat Atlanta ace Tim Hudson (6-4) for his first victory since May 8. Wells (4-4) gave up six hits and struck out a season-high seven in 72â3 scoreless innings, while allowing only one runner to reach third base.

Mike Gonzalez relieved Wells after the Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth and retired pinch-hitter Julio Franco on a grounder to third base. Jose Mesa allowed an RBI single to Pete Orr in the ninth, but still earned his 15th save in 17 chances.

Padres 6, Cubs 2

San Diego – Adam Eaton (8-1) won his career-best seventh straight decision, hit his first triple and scored twice as the Padres snapped the Cubs’ seven-game winning streak.

Cubs slugger Derrek Lee went 0-for-5, dropping his average to .379 – still the best in the majors. Chicago right-hander Sergio Mitre (0-1), who went to San Diego City College a few blocks away, was chased in the fifth, when he allowed four runs.

Rockies 12, Reds 4

Denver – Preston Wilson hit a pair of home runs to lead an 18-hit night for the Rockies. Wilson had four hits, Clint Barmes had three hits and three RBIs, and Luis Gonzalez also added three hits.

Rookie Jeff Francis was the beneficiary and remained unbeaten at Coors Field. Francis (5-2) improved to 6-0 in seven career starts at home, striking out six over six innings.