St. Louis ? Chris Carpenter pitched a three-hitter to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates for the fourth time this season, and the St. Louis Cardinals also got a homer from Preston Wilson in a 3-1 victory Friday night.

Juan Encarnacion had two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, who are 6-1 during a nine-game homestand to regain control of the NL Central. St. Louis has built a 51â2-game lead only eight games after it was in a virtual tie with the Reds.

The Cards fell that low in part because of a three-game sweep at Pittsburgh from Aug. 11-13.

The loss was the 82nd for the Pirates and ensured their 14th consecutive losing season, the longest stretch of futility in major American sports. Pittsburgh swept the Cubs before coming to St. Louis and is 23-22 since the All-Star break, but 53-82 overall.

Carpenter (13-6) has dominated the Pirates in all four of his starts, allowing three runs in 30 innings. He struck out eight and walked none for his 23rd complete game and had such command that the first 18 batters saw only 16 balls.

Dodgers 6, Rockies 3

Los Angeles – The Dodgers’ Derek Lowe came back from a rare relief appearance earlier in the week to earn his 13th victory. Lowe (13-8) got the start this time, giving up three runs on seven hits in five innings, walking three and striking out one. He also singled and scored the Dodgers’ first run against Jason Jennings (7-12).

Reds 6, Padres 2

San Diego – Bronson Arroyo kept San Diego off-balance for seven innings, and Rich Aurilia tied his career high with four hits, including a homer, as Cincinnati snapped a six-game losing streak.

Mets 8, Astros 7

Houston – Pinch hitter Jose Valentin hit an RBI double to break an eighth-inning tie, and Tom Glavine pitched five innings in his first start since being sidelined by a blood clot.

Marlins 3, Brewers 2

Milwaukee – Rookie Anibal Sanchez pitched seven strong innings, and Cody Ross hit a two-run home run to help Florida beat Milwaukee, handing the Brewers their eighth straight loss.

Cubs 6, Giants 2

Chicago – Rich Hill allowed five hits in eight strong innings, and Matt Murton and Ryan Theriot homered as Chicago ended a six-game losing streak.