Tweet
Chris Carpenter learned a lot from Roger Clemens when the right-handers were teammates. Now, Carpenter is battling the future Hall of Famer for the NL Cy Young Award.
Two of baseball's top pitchers meet for the second time this season as the St. Louis Cardinals continue a three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Carpenter spent the first six seasons of his career with Toronto, and was in the same rotation with Clemens when he won the AL Cy Young Award with the Blue Jays in 1997 and 1998. Carpenter went 15-14 for the Blue Jays during those two seasons, while Clemens went 41-13.
However, Carpenter got the best of his former mentor when the two met on July 17, giving up just three hits in a complete-game 3-0 win.
``I learned a lot from him, watching him every day,'' Carpenter said of Clemens. ``You're stupid as a young kid not to pay attention to what someone of his caliber does. It was great to be able to play and watch him work.''
ADVERTISEMENT
Clemens gave up three runs -- one earned -- and five hits in seven innings in that matchup, and was charged with the loss. Carpenter has allowed just one run and 15 hits in 24 innings in his three starts against Houston this season, all wins.
``He just did a number on us,'' Clemens said. ``I don't think we really posed a threat to him.''
Carpenter became the majors' first 19-game winner Monday, allowing one run and seven hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 6-1 victory over Florida. Marlins left-hander Dontrelle Willis won his 19th game Friday.
``I had command of my sinker, command of my cutter, and command of my breaking ball, and I was able to throw it when I wanted to throw it and keep them off balance all night,'' said Carpenter, who has already passed his previous career high of 15 wins, set last season.
Carpenter, the NL's starter in the All-Star game, has won 11 straight decisions. His 2.29 ERA is the second-best in the majors, behind only Clemens' 1.51 mark.
Clemens allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings of the Astros' 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Houston has been shut out eight times in Clemens' 27 starts this season and has lost five times by a 1-0 score with him on the mound -- including three games that went extra innings.
The Astros have scored just 3.61 runs per game in Clemens' starts, the lowest for any of their seven pitchers who have started games.
``I don't bat an eye at that,'' said Clemens, who was trying for his 340th career win. ``That's baseball. I don't put a lot of stock in it either way. I've had my share of wins. If I was worried about that and how many games that I've had some tough luck over my 22 years, it would probably drive you crazy. So I don't worry about that.''
The Astros beat the Cardinals 6-5 in 13 innings on Friday as Eric Bruntlett came through with a game-winning RBI single. Morgan Ensberg homered in the ninth and Brad Ausmus added a drive in the 10th, both off St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen, to extend the game.
The Astros, who have won four straight, trail Philadelphia by a half-game in the NL wild-card race. The Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Friday.
Jim Edmonds hit his second homer in the top of the 13th for the Cardinals, who lost for the second time in six games. Yadier Molina added a drive for St. Louis, which owns the best record in the majors.
Two of baseball's top pitchers meet for the second time this season as the St. Louis Cardinals continue a three-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Carpenter spent the first six seasons of his career with Toronto, and was in the same rotation with Clemens when he won the AL Cy Young Award with the Blue Jays in 1997 and 1998. Carpenter went 15-14 for the Blue Jays during those two seasons, while Clemens went 41-13.
However, Carpenter got the best of his former mentor when the two met on July 17, giving up just three hits in a complete-game 3-0 win.
``I learned a lot from him, watching him every day,'' Carpenter said of Clemens. ``You're stupid as a young kid not to pay attention to what someone of his caliber does. It was great to be able to play and watch him work.''
ADVERTISEMENT
Clemens gave up three runs -- one earned -- and five hits in seven innings in that matchup, and was charged with the loss. Carpenter has allowed just one run and 15 hits in 24 innings in his three starts against Houston this season, all wins.
``He just did a number on us,'' Clemens said. ``I don't think we really posed a threat to him.''
Carpenter became the majors' first 19-game winner Monday, allowing one run and seven hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 6-1 victory over Florida. Marlins left-hander Dontrelle Willis won his 19th game Friday.
``I had command of my sinker, command of my cutter, and command of my breaking ball, and I was able to throw it when I wanted to throw it and keep them off balance all night,'' said Carpenter, who has already passed his previous career high of 15 wins, set last season.
Carpenter, the NL's starter in the All-Star game, has won 11 straight decisions. His 2.29 ERA is the second-best in the majors, behind only Clemens' 1.51 mark.
Clemens allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings of the Astros' 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Houston has been shut out eight times in Clemens' 27 starts this season and has lost five times by a 1-0 score with him on the mound -- including three games that went extra innings.
The Astros have scored just 3.61 runs per game in Clemens' starts, the lowest for any of their seven pitchers who have started games.
``I don't bat an eye at that,'' said Clemens, who was trying for his 340th career win. ``That's baseball. I don't put a lot of stock in it either way. I've had my share of wins. If I was worried about that and how many games that I've had some tough luck over my 22 years, it would probably drive you crazy. So I don't worry about that.''
The Astros beat the Cardinals 6-5 in 13 innings on Friday as Eric Bruntlett came through with a game-winning RBI single. Morgan Ensberg homered in the ninth and Brad Ausmus added a drive in the 10th, both off St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen, to extend the game.
The Astros, who have won four straight, trail Philadelphia by a half-game in the NL wild-card race. The Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Friday.
Jim Edmonds hit his second homer in the top of the 13th for the Cardinals, who lost for the second time in six games. Yadier Molina added a drive for St. Louis, which owns the best record in the majors.
Comment