Carpenter nails Cincinnati

There is not much analyzing to do about the Reds 3-1 loss to the Cardinals last night.

Chris Carpenter showed why he is the ace of Tony LaRussa’s pitching staff. He improved to 4-0 by throwing a complete game and allowing just three hits. His earned run average is a minuscule 0.71.

How about this for efficiency? In a game that lasted just two hours and five minutes, Carpenter threw 95 pitches, 66 for strikes. He did not walk a batter.

The only blemish on Carpenter’s gem was giving up a home run to Laynce Nix in the eighth inning.

Aaron Harang pitched a good game as well. He also went the distance, giving up eight hits and three runs. He challenged and lost twice to Albert Pujols.

Pujols hit a laser into the seats with a runner on in the third inning to put his team up 2-0. In the sixth, he doubled in Colby Rasmus with a shot off the left field wall.

Conclusion?

Harang was good. Carpenter was great.

The Reds finish the road trip with a record of 2-5. It is not exactly what they envisioned when they left Cincinnati a week ago after sweeping the Houston Astros.

Tonight, the Reds and Chicago Cubs begin a weekend series. It will be Carlos Zambrano (3-2) against Micah Owings (3-6).