This Carpenter Keeps Building

Matt Carpenter continued his sizzling second half on Sunday, when he tied a major league record. 
The Redbirds leadoff man had four doubles as St. Louis crushed the Rockies 12-3 at Coors Field. He's just the second Cardinal -- Hall of Famer Ducky Medwick was the first, back in 1937 -- among several dozen major leaguers who have done so. So far, in nearly 150 years, no player has ever had five doubles in one game.
Carpenter started fast -- doubling twice during a six-run 1st inning, added another in the 3rd and punched his fourth double of the day in the 7th.
The Cardinals have been on a roll ever since changing managers. They've won nine consecutive series and Sunday's win capped a 5-1 road trip. After struggling under the since-dismissed Mike Matheny, the Redbirds have surged under Mike Shildt and at the moment hold the number-one National League Wild Card. And after being stuck in the .150s back in May, Carpenter's robust second half is certainly putting him in the conversation for National League MVP.
(My image of Carpenter is from the April 1st Cardinals/Mets game in New York.)

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