Chicago, IL (My Sportsbook) - Scott Rolen's two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning lifted the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a brief two-game series at Wrigley Field.

Rolen finished with two hits and Jim Edmonds added a home run and two RBI for the Cardinals, who extended their lead to nine games over the Cubs in the National League Central division. Edgar Renteria also homered in the win -- St. Louis' 12th in its last 14 games.

The Cardinals now lead the season series, 10-8. The teams meet for a last time this season on Tuesday.

"It was a big win for us," Rolen said. "We're playing well and hopefully we can keep going."

Chris Carpenter (10-4) posted the win with eight strong innings of four-run ball. The righthander gave up 12 hits, struck out five and walked none to improve to 7-2 in 11 road starts this season.

Moises Alou finished 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI for the Cubs, who have lost two in a row and eight of their last 11 games. Corey Patterson and Michael Barrett both had two hits in the loss.

Carlos Zambrano (9-5) was roughed up for five runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings before being ejected for hitting Edmonds twice. Zambrano, who suffered his first loss at home this season (6-1), fanned eight and walked three. He also went 2-for-3 with a run at the plate.

Edmonds blasted his 22nd home run in the fourth inning -- a two-run shot -- to give St. Louis the lead. Rolen reached on an infield single leading off and took second on third baseman Aramis Ramirez' throwing error. Edmonds then sent Zambrano's first offering over the ivy in center field. Zambrano began jawing at Edmonds while the center fielder rounded the bases.

"I just told him to run the bases, not be cocky," Zambrano said.

The Cardinals extended their lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning thanks to a solo home run by Renteria. Zambrano got the first two batters out but Renteria belted a 3-1 pitch to center field for his eighth homer of the season.

Chicago, however, rallied for three runs in the bottom half to even the score. Alex Gonzalez hit a one-out double to left and took third after Zambrano legged out an infield hit.

Mark Grudzielanek then lifted a sac fly to score Gonzalez, while Corey Patterson and Sammy Sosa both singled to load the bases. Alou was the next batter and he lifted a bloop two-run single to center for a 3-3 score.

In the sixth inning, Ramirez was gunned down at home trying to score on a Michael Barrett single. Ramirez was sent home by Cubs third base coach Wendell Kim.

"I caused the loss," Kim said after the game. "I was aggressive at the wrong time. I apologize to all the Cubs fans, the front office and my teammates."

Zambrano fell apart in the eighth inning and Rolen continued to drive in runs as the Cardinals grabbed a 5-3 lead.

Tony Womack drew a leadoff walk, took second on a passed ball and advanced to third on a sacrifice by Renteria. Zambrano then fanned Albert Pujols for the second out but Rolen clubbed a two-run shot to the seats in left center.

"I was just looking for a strike and was able to get a good piece of the bat on it," Rolen said of his game-winning homer.

Edmonds was the next batter and Zambrano beaned him again. The fiery righthander, who hit Edmonds in the first inning, was then ejected. The benches emptied briefly, but order was restored quickly and no punches were thrown. Chicago got out of the inning without further damage.

"I didn't try to hit him," Zambrano explained. "I tried to make my pitches."

The Cubs got a run back in the home half when Alou belted a solo homer. Carpenter got Sosa to ground out leading off but couldn't solve Alou as the right fielder went deep to left center for a 5-4 score.

Before the game, Chicago learned that righthander Mark Prior will miss his next start scheduled for Tuesday against St. Louis. Prior departed in the second inning of his last outing on Thursday against Milwaukee because of tenderness in his throwing elbow. A battery of tests the following day showed irritated lining of the bone.

The young fireballer missed the first two months of the year with an inflamed right Achilles' tendon and a problem with this same elbow. He is 2-2 with a 4.06 ERA over eight starts this season.