Cards Headed To 3rd Straight NLCS

Oct 10, 2013 7:41 AM

>>Cardinals Advance To NLCS With Win Over Pirates

(St. Louis, MO) -- The St. Louis Cardinals are in the National League Championship Series for the third straight year. David Freese and Matt Adams both hit two-run homers as the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game Five of their NL Division Series at Busch Stadium. Adam Wainwright went the distance, allowing just one run while striking out six as he improved to 2-and-0 in the playoffs. Jon Jay and Pete Kozma also knocked in a run each for the Redbirds, who will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the NLCS on Friday. Pedro Alvarez plated the lone run for the Bucs on an infield single in the seventh inning. Rookie Gerrit Cole gave up two runs on three hits over five frames to suffer the loss.

>>Yankees Sign Girardi To Four-Year Contract

(Bronx, NY) -- Joe Girardi is staying with the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers have signed their manager to a four-year contract extension through 2017. Girardi's current deal was set to expire at the end of this month. The Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals were also reportedly interested in his services.

>>A's Host Decisive Game Five Against Tigers

On Thursday, the Oakland Athletics will host the Detroit Tigers in a win-or-go-home Game Five of their American League Division Series. The Tigers topped the A's 8-6 in Game Four in Detroit on Tuesday. The A's will send rookie Sonny Gray to the mound. The 23-year-old is moving up in the rotation and getting the call over All-Star Bartolo Colon. For the second time this series, Gray’s opposing starter will be former Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander. The winner will advance to play the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS.