Who needs squirrels with bullpen this good?

ST. LOUIS - Chris Carpenter needed a pick-me-up in the worst way. A bullpen that just sat back and watched the last time the St. Louis Cardinals ace pitched was ready for extended duty.

Albert Pujols hit an RBI double off Yovani Gallardo during a four-run first inning and four St. Louis relievers combined for four perfect innings Wednesday night for a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and a 2-1 edge in the NL championship series.

Suddenly, the wild-card Cardinals are front-runners. And against the team that put them away early en route to the NL Central title.