"Adam Wainwright returned to a familiar role Tuesday night.

Less than 24 hours after he laid down a key bunt and scored the winning run in a ninth-inning rally, the Cardinals starter was back on the mound at Busch Stadium.

Once again, he proved to be unbeatable at home.

Wainwright extended his major-league record with his 23rd consecutive quality start at home by throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Cardinals' 8-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This season, Wainwright has won all eight of his starts and posted a 1.49 ERA at Busch Stadium.

"I always like going out there and carrying my team as long as I can," he said.

With the victory, the Cardinals moved back into first place in the NL Central, one-half game ahead of Cincinnati, which lost in extra innings to Philadelphia.

Wainwright admitted to checking out that game at least once Tuesday night.

"I caught myself scoreboard watching," he said. "Tonight was a game I felt we had to win."

Wainwright did his part. The right-hander allowed five hits, walked three and struck out seven, and improved his record to 11-5. Wainwright, who went 19-8 in 2009, didn't record his 11th win last season until July 23.

"Adam, this is what he's been all year long," said manager Tony La Russa.

For good measure, Wainwright also had a quality night at the plate. He reached base in all three plate appearances. Wainwright walked in the second and again in the fourth and drove in his first run of the season with a single in the fifth.

"I tried to make him work," said Wainwright about Arizona starter Dontrelle Willis. "The guys were grinding out at-bats. I figured I would do the same.""