Pitching for the first time since the 2011 World Series, and taking the mound with one fewer rib, Chris Carpenter worked an effective five innings on Friday while putting a twist on the National League playoff race.

The Trinity High of Manchester graduate was in position for his 145th career win until the Cardinals blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning and lost in 11 innings to the Cubs, 5-4. And the missing rib?

In July, the 37-year-old had surgery to remove one of his right ribs (connecting soft tissue) to allievate pressure on a nerve between his neck and shoulder. The procedure was an attempt to help Carpenter restore the strength and overall sensation throughout his shoulder and right arm — and it worked.

The 2005 Cy Young Award winner returned from surgery as soon as could be expected and made a promising 2012 debut against the Cubs, allowing two runs on five hits. The Cardinals are suddenly a bigger threat as several teams jockey for playoff position in the National League. Carpenter could make two more starts and once again pitch the Cards into the postseason. Last season, he pitched a two-hit shutout against Houston on the final day of the regular season as St. Louis clinched a playoff spot.

The story about the rib won’t be going away any time soon. Carpenter, according to a report by Fox Sports Midwest, brought the bone home and gave it to 7-year-old daughter Ava. (She had asked for a souvenir from the hospital.)

“(The rib) is actually in one of my cabinets in my bathroom,” said Carpenter, who is scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Astros. “I’m still trying to figure out what we’re going to do with it. It’s in a jar with some of that solution. It was pretty gross, actually.

“My daughter asked me to bring something back from the hospital and she said ‘your rib.’ So I brought my rib back. Fortunately the doctor gave it to me and allowed me to take it home. I’m sure we’ll do something with it ... Make a necklace or bracelets or something. We haven’t figured that out yet.”

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ONE PITCH: Southpaw Jeff Locke from Kennett High of Conway made the best start of his big-league career, going five innings and fanning eight, but he took the loss against Houston on Friday. Jed Lowrie banged a three-run homer for the only damage against Locke, who gave up three hits in the 7-1 loss to the Astros. The 24-year-old Locke has made five appearances this season, going 0-1 with a 5.49 ERA. He is scheduled to pitch Wednesday at the New York Mets, seeking his first big-league win.

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OTTAWA BUZZ: The Double-A Eastern League will likely place a team in Ottawa in 2014, but the New Hampshire Fisher Cats still aren’t going anywhere. League president Joe McEacharn has been in talks with Ottawa city leaders and Beacon Sports Capital Partners, which is brokering a deal between city and an existing EL franchise.

Looking into the crystal ball, Ottawa will have a team in 2014 —and so will the Fisher Cats. New Hampshire and the Toronto Blue Jays currently share a player-development contract through 2014. However, McEacharn has indicated the league is prepared to bend and provide a “win-win situation” for all parties involved down the road.

No, the Fisher Cats won’t be affiliated with the Blue Jays forever. If the Blue Jays eventually moved their Double-A affiliate to Ottawa, the Fisher Cats would partner with another big-league team such as the Rays, Twins or possibly the Red Sox farther down the road.

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Staff writer Kevin Gray covers pro baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His email address is kgray@unionleader.com. Twitter: @graymatter11.