Carpenter Focused On Team Wins

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Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter was solid on Sunday, but
 once again was not able to pick up a victory despite
pitching nine quality innings in the Cardinals 3-2 win
over the Cubs. - Photo courtesy of Getty Images
St. Louis Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter has filled out the stat sheet with more than 15 wins on five occasions in his 13 year career.  Each of those seasons were spent in a Cardinals uniform.  Since coming to St. Louis Carpenter has continuously been at the top of league leader-board in wins.

But this season, despite pitching well, Carpenter has managed to accumulate just one victory.  Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs was not any different for Carpenter.

The staff ace tossed nine solid innings for the Cardinals, allowing just two earned on seven hits while compiling six strikeouts over 118 pitches.

Quite a performance for Carpenter, who once again proved that he was a horse by giving the Cardinals beleaguered bullpen a much needed rest.

Despite the performance, a victory once again eluded Carpenter, who certainly pitched good enough to win.

Carpenter doesn't care about personal victories, but instead, as long as the team gets the win at the end of the day.

"It doesn't matter," Carpenter said. "We won, that's what matters."

Carpenter is the ultimate team player.  He has constantly been referenced as helping his fellow starting pitchers out, discussing game plans, mechanics, and giving pointers on tipping pitches among other things.

And despite the Cardinals offense not rewarding the veteran, Carpenter keeps a cool attitude about his personal stats in a season that may be his last on his current contract.  The team has a club option on Carpenter next season and is not under any obligation to pick it up.  So Carpenter's stats could have a big impact on him financially in the short term.

That doesn't matter to the big guy.  Carpenter just wants the team to win.

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