"Chris Carpenter faced a typical 2011 challenge Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium. Once again he had to pitch under trying circumstances.

He drew Carlos Zambrano, the only Cubs starter with a winning record, as his pitching opponent. Cards slugger Lance Berkman sat out the game with his nagging wrist injury. Center fielder Colby Rasmus took a powder, too, getting a rare day of rest.

With Matt Holliday, David Freese and Nick Punto on the disabled list, manager Tony La Russa crafted a less-than-imposing lineup. It featured Jon Jay playing center field and hitting clean-up; recent call-up Matt Carpenter playing third base and hitting second; Skip Schumaker playing right field and hitting sixth; and rookie Daniel Descalso playing second base and hitting eighth.

Predictably, this makeshift batting order didn't do much against Zambrano.

Yet Carpenter bore down and did his job anyway. He battled for nine innings in the sweltering heat and gave his team the chance to win the game and close out a weekend sweep.

Ryan Theriot's clutch hit tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth and Albert Pujols won the game in the bottom of the 10th.

Carpenter earned a "no-decision" for this effort, leaving him with a not-so-Cy-Young-like record of 1-5 this season.

But while Zambrano was blowing up in the visiting clubhouse across the way – railing at teammate Carlos Marmol for throwing Theriot that ill-fated slider – Carpenter calmly fielded questions about his relentlessly poor luck.

Offensive and defensive failure around him cost Carpenter several victories this season.

"I've said all along, I know that these guys are pulling and trying as hard as they can, but that's not the point," Carpenter said. "The point is to win ballgames."

Carpenter would have welcomed a "W" for his ledger Sunday, but he earned the satisfaction of leading his team to one of its better victories of the season. He earned additional respect from his teammates, as if he needed any more.

And he sent a strong message to everybody – fans, media types, teammates, team management and opponents – that he can still deliver the big-game performances that have characterized his career here."