Sanders maintains streak to lead Cards past Astros
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-13 14:41

The left fielder has now had at least one RBI in his last 10 contests, including the last six games of the regular season and the playoffs.

"He (Pettitte) wasn't quite as sharp as we've seen him," Astros manager Phil Garner said. "He made a mistake and Sanders hit it.

"He's a dead fastball hitter and Andy didn't get it where he wanted to."

The Cardinals added to their lead in the second, Carpenter laying down a bunt to score Mark Grudzielanek.

Trailing 3-0, the Astros had chances to get back into the contest in the third inning, loading the bases with one out, but Carpenter escaped by getting Lance Berkman to ground into a double play.

The Cardinals added some insurance in the fifth, Albert Pujols and David Eckstein each stroking RBI singles.

Houston, shutout 17 times this season -- the most in the major leagues -- finally got on the scoreboard in the seventh when pinch-hitter Chris Burke belted two-out, two-run homer to left cutting the deficit to 5-2.

Brad Ausmus closed out the scoring with sacrifice fly to center that brought across Mike Lamb.