Carpenter throws complete game

ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter threw his first complete game of the season Thursday night and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Colorado Rockies 6-1.

Carpenter (16-9) snapped a four-game losing streak -- during which he posted a 7.17 ERA -- with the four-hitter.

The Rockies, who were eliminated from the postseason Tuesday, have lost 10 of 11.

Carpenter, who threw just 100 pitches, retired the last 10 batters in order in making his major league-leading and career-best 35th start. He walked two and struck out four in the 29th complete game of his career.

Albert Pujols had two hits, reached base three times and picked up his NL-leading 118th RBI. Pujols passed Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who did not play Thursday and has 117 RBIs.

Gonzalez entered Thursday's play with a 13-point lead in the NL batting race over Cincinnati's Joey Votto.

Gonzalez is hitting .338.