Chris Carpenter became the first St. Louis Cardinals pitcher in 35 years to win the National League Cy Young Award in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, the only other Cardinals pitcher to win the award, earned his second trophy in 1970, two years after he was honored with both the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards.

Of 32 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city, Carpenter was listed first on 19, second on 12 and third on one to score 132 points, based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system. Florida Marlins lefthander Dontrelle Willis, who dueled with Carpenter in several pitching categories, was the runner-up with 11 first-place votes, 18 seconds and three thirds for 112 points. They were the only pitchers named to every ballot.

Carpenter had a 21-5 record with a 2.83 ERA in 241 2/3 innings. The 6-foot-6 righthander, 30, won 13 consecutive decisions from June 14 through Sept. 8. Willis, the league’s top winner with a 22-10 mark, tied Carpenter for the league lead in complete games with seven, including five shutouts, one more than Carpenter. Willis’ 2.63 ERA was third in the league. Carpenter’s was fifth. Carpenter finished strong with 14 victories in his last 16 decisions.

The other two first-place votes went to the Houston Astros’ Roger Clemens (13-8, 1.87 ERA), a seven-time winner who was third this time with 40 points. Clemens teammates Roy Oswalt (20-12, 2.94 ERA) and Andy Pettitte (17-9, 2.39 ERA) also received support as did Washington Nationals reliever Chad Cordero (2-4, 1.82 ERA, 47 SV).

In the years since Gibson won his second Cy Young Award, the Cardinals had two pitchers finish second in the voting: John Tudor in 1985 and reliever Lee Smith in 1991.

The vote:

2005 NL Cy Young