Rolen finds groove in Cardinals' win

MILWAUKEE -- Scott Rolen is convinced he has found his swing.

Rolen snapped out of an early-season slump with a two-run homer and two singles, leading the Cardinals over the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 Saturday.

"I feel like I found something, I hope," said Rolen, who started the season 4-for-32. "I felt like I was seeing the ball a little better and I felt like I could duplicate what I'm doing tomorrow."

Rolen is a key piece for the defending National League champions, who moved into sole possession of first place in the Central for the first time this season. Last year, the Cardinals took first place on June 11 and held it the rest of the way.

St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter (2-1) left in the seventh inning with a 5-0 lead and the bases loaded. Brady Clark greeted reliever Al Reyes with a three-run double to make it 5-3.

Junior Spivey then struck out looking to end the inning.

Randy Flores got one out in the eighth and Julian Taveraz finished the scoreless inning, and Jason Isringhausen pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save.

Rolen homered in the first and hit singles in the fifth and seventh innings. The homer was his first of the season.

Carpenter, who agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2007 with a club option for 2008 on Friday, gave up three runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Carpenter walked three and struck out five.

"It was good,"Carpenter said. "For the most part I was hitting my spots."