CINCINNATI _ Righthander Chris Carpenter had received an average of just 3.1 runs per game of support from his St. Louis Cardinals’ teammates, so today’s output of eight while Carpenter was in the game was rare largesse.

Carpenter even drove in one of the runs himself with a single as the Cardinals jumped to an 8-0  lead the Cincinnati Reds after five innings. Colby Rasmus hit his second homer in two games and doubled to help set up another scoring inning.

Carpenter worked seven innings, giving up just one run and five hits.