ST. LOUIS -- After pitching around an error in the first inning, St. Louis Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter has been helped by a series of defensive plays to keep the game vs. Cincinnati scoreless this afternoon at Busch Stadium.

The Cardinals' offense has done its part, too.

Shortstop Brendan Ryan made two slick plays in the third inning to help Carpenter to his only perfect inning of the game so far. Ryan ran in on a slow-roller by Brandon Phillips and fired to first in time to get the Reds' leadoff hitter. The next batter, Orlando Cabrera, scorched a grounder that zipped by a Pedro Feliz -- but not past a rangy Ryan. The Cardinals' shortstop apprehended the ball a stride into the outfield, set his feet and fired in time to get Cabrera at first.

In the fourth inning, Feliz jabbed to his left and started a double play that erased the only baserunner of the inning for the Reds.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals' lineup has offered its usual support for such pitching and defense. That is ... none. In a familiar turn of events for the past week, week and a half, whatever, etc., Matt Holliday doubled to lead off the second inning and advanced exactly 90 feet from the next three batters.

Colby Rasmus struck out in the fifth spot.

Yadier Molina grounded out to first base (advancing Holliday to third).

Feliz flew out to left field.

Holliday has been on nine times in the past week, and he's scored two runs in the previous seven games. One of which was on a home run he hit to provide the Cardinals' lone runs vs. Houston.

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