"A 116-pitch,eight-inning start by Chris Carpenter and the third home run from first baseman Albert Pujols in four games propelled the Cardinals to a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.

Carpenter, hurt only by some third-inning defensive shenanigans, overcame three fielding errors -- including one of his own -- to secure his fourth consecutive win while impoving to 14-4 lifetime against the defending NL Central champions.

Pujols drove his 20th home run -- and 11th since June 3 -- an estimated 379 feet into the left field bleachers to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 fifth-inning lead. Pujols has managed four extra-base hits and seven RBI in his last four games. Since June 3, he constructed a .325 average with a .412 on-base percentage, .795 slugging percentage and only six strikeouts against 12 walks.

The Cardinals managed an insurance run in the seventh inning when center fielder Jon Jay scored second baseman Skip Schumaker with a two-out single.

Carpenter worked through the eighth inning despite errors by shortstop Daniel Descalso and replacement third baseman Nick Punto.

Punto was lifted in a ninth-inning defensive switch. He continues to labor on throws from the left side of the infield after missing time due to a ligament strain."