Cardinals go with Reyes, saving Carpenter for potential playoff opener

ST. LOUIS (AP) _ The St. Louis Cardinals changed starters for Sunday's regular-season finale against Milwaukee, going with rookie Anthony Reyes on three days' rest and saving ace Chris Carpenter.

Sunday, October 1st 2006, 11:59 am

By: News On 6

ST. LOUIS (AP) _ The St. Louis Cardinals changed starters for Sunday's regular-season finale against Milwaukee, going with rookie Anthony Reyes on three days' rest and saving ace Chris Carpenter.

The Cardinals had a 1 1/2-game lead over second-place Houston and a magic number of one to clinch the NL Central entering the final scheduled day of the regular season.

If St. Louis lost and Houston won at Atlanta, the Cardinals would play at home Monday against San Francisco in a makeup of a Sept. 17 rainout. If they lost that one, they would travel to Houston for an NL Central tiebreaker game Tuesday.

Reyes, 5-7 with a 4.68 ERA, opposed the Brewers' Carlos Villanueva, 2-1 with a 3.97 ERA.

Carpenter has been by far the most consistent pitcher on the Cardinals, going 15-8 with a 3.09 ERA.

Reyes allowed one run and five hits in six-plus innings Wednesday in a 4-2 victory over San Diego.