St. Louis ? Chris Carpenter pitched a four-hitter and Ronnie Belliard had three hits and two RBIs in his biggest game since joining the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, helping them stop a three-game skid with a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.

Chris Duncan hit a two-run homer off Aaron Harang (12-8) as part of a three-hit night and Albert Pujols also had three hits for the NL Central leaders, who totaled three runs while getting swept in a three-game weekend series at last-place Pittsburgh. The Cardinals won for only the second time in seven games overall and beat the second-place Reds for just the fifth time in 13 tries, moving 21â2 games in front.

Carpenter (11-6) squandered a 5-0 lead at Cincinnati last Wednesday while ending with a no-decision in a one-run loss. He was 0-2 with a 7.94 earned-run average in his past three starts. This time, he allowed only four singles.

Last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner didn’t allow a hit until Adam Dunn singled with one out in the fifth. The right-hander struck out six with no walks and a hit batsman.

Carpenter, who lost twice to the Reds this season, is 3-3 for his career against Cincinnati.

Dodgers 4, Marlins 0

Los Angeles – Chad Billingsley allowed three hits over seven innings, Kenny Lofton hit an RBI double to snap a scoreless tie in the seventh, and Los Angeles beat Florida for its sixth straight victory and 17th in 18 games.

Giants 3, Padres 2

San Diego – Shea Hillenbrand singled in the go-ahead run with two outs in the eighth inning.

Phillies 11, Mets 4

Philadelphia – David Dellucci hit a three-run homer, Shane Victorino also connected, and Philadelphia overcame three homers from Jose Reyes. Reyes became the seventh player to hit three homers in a game for the Mets.

Brewers 6, Pirates 3

Pittsburgh – Bill Hall hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning, and Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh for only the second time in its last nine tries.

Nationals 5, Braves 0

Washington – Pedro Astacio pitched 42â3 perfect innings en route to a two-hit shutout.

Cubs 8, Astros 6, 18 innings

Houston – Matt Murton hit a tying homer in the ninth inning and a two-run single in the 18th, sending Chicago past Houston in the longest game in Minute Maid Park history.