ST. LOUIS – Edgar Renteria and Scott Rolen drove in two runs each, and Albert Pujols had three hits Monday to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Cincinnati Reds 4-1.

Backed by his trio of All-Star infielders, Chris Carpenter (9-3) struck out eight and walked none in seven-plus inning. Carpenter, enjoying a big comeback season after missing last year because of shoulder surgery, allowed one run and five hits, including an RBI single in the sixth to All-Star Barry Larkin.

Carpenter, who had been 1-2 in his previous four starts, has pitched seven or more innings in nine starts. The Cardinals are 12-4 when he pitches.

Jason Isringhausen got three outs for his 19th save in 23 chances, walking Griffey and Adam Dunn before striking out Wily Mo Pena to end the game.

St. Louis, an NL-best 50-32, is 4-0 on a nine-game homestand and moved a season-best 18 games above .500.

Center fielder Jim Edmonds and second baseman Tony Womack made diving stops to back Carpenter on Bob Gibson bobblehead day. The Cardinals Hall of Famer threw out the first pitch and drew a standing ovation.

Ken Griffey Jr. was 0-for-3 a day after his first All-Star selection since 2000 and remained homerless in 10 games since he hit No. 500 on June 20 at St. Louis. Griffey, who just missed a home run in the ninth inning when his drive went foul, is 5-for-37 with one RBI since reaching 500.

Ryan Freel had three hits and scored a run for the Reds, who have lost 11 of 14 on the road. He’s 7-for-10 the last two games.

Cory Lidle (6-6) took a shutout in the fifth, then gave up four runs and five hits. Renteria hit a two-run double on a full count and Rolen hit a two-run single to give him a major league-leading 80 RBIs. Rolen had been 1-for-12 against Lidle.

Lidle had been dominant in his two previous starts, allowing two runs over 15 innings in a pair of victories.

Notes: The Cardinals have won a season-high six straight at home. … The Reds recalled C Corky Miller from Triple-A Louisville. … Freel is 15-for-30 in his last seven games. … The Reds are 11-6 against first-place teams, with three of the losses against the Cardinals. … Rolen is batting .435 (37-for-85) with runners in scoring position.

AP-ES-07-05-04 1705EDT