Chris Carpenter's Return Puts Cardinals Back Among National League Favorites

Firmly entrenched in the battle for the final National League wild-card spot, the St. Louis Cardinals received a much-needed boost on Friday.Ace Chris Carpenter made a surprising return to the mound against the Chicago Cubs, giving up two earned runs over five innings while striking out two batters and walking just one. Carpenter showed good command of his pitches and needed just 77 pitches to navigate his way through the Cubs' lineup.The 37-year-old pitcher, who had not taken the mound sin...