ST. LOUIS -- Chris Carpenter exploited the bottom of the Cincinnati Reds' order to apparently dodge a leadoff single in the fifth inning.

The top of the order had other ideas.

Leadoff hitter Brandon Phillips, greeted every time he steps to the plate by a chorus of boos from the Busch Stadium crowd, looped a two-out double down the right-field line to push Drew Stubbs to third and prolong the inning. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, in his second game back from the disabled list, then ripped a double down the third-base line to score both Stubbs and Phillips for a 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals have gone 1-3 in Carpenter's past four starts. They had won six consecutive of his starts before this stumble.

The Cardinals are 1-7 in their past eight starts by Carpenter and co-ace Adam Wainwright, including Saturday's loss to the Reds.

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