NLDS 2013: Cardinals beat Pirates in 5 games, advance to NLCS

The Pirates were done in by more than just bad luck, but the randomness of baseball was certainly a factor, especially early in the game, when employment of a shift turned into a key double play:

After that, defense took over. Perhaps playing with a touch of desperation, Pirates left fielder Starling Marte took a chance on a sinking liner off the bat of Carpenter and made a phenomenal play:

Marlon Byrd had three hits to lead the Pirates.

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It appears St. Louis will be playing in its third consecutive NLCS.

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With the wacky bounce, Alvarez became the first player in MLB history to record at least one RBI in each of his first six postseason games. The Cardinals hold a 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the seventh inning.

For more on this game, follow our stream or head over to Bucs Dugout and Viva El Birdos.

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Cole has surrendered three hits and a walk while notching three punch-outs.

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Carpenter is now 1 for 17 at the plate in the series.

For more on this game, follow our stream or head over to Bucs Dugout and Viva El Birdos.

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For more on this game, follow our stream or head over to Bucs Dugout and Viva El Birdos.

The Bucs have been very consistent in their lineup construction throughout the series, and aren’t changing a thing for Game 5:

It’s the same lineup the club used the first time around against Wainwright, and also in Games 3 and 4. Pittsburgh managed only three hits against Wainwright in Game 1, so Clint Hurdle and company have to hope they can make some positive adjustments Wednesday night.

In the regular season, Wainwright had a 2.94 ERA over 34 starts, leading the league in innings pitched.

Game 5 will commence Wednesday night with first pitch scheduled for 8:07 p.m. ET. It will be aired nationally on TBS.

“We have one game to win,” manager Clint Hurdle said in a press conference. “As I’ve done and I’ve challenged the guys to do, we need to do the best we can to win that next game. I believe that matchup is the best we can do to beat the Cardinals in Game 5.”

In his rookie year, Cole made 19 starts with a 3.22 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He was outstanding through September, allowing just six runs in five starts while holding batters to a 524 OPS.

Wacha was removed by manager Mike Matheny after walking Russell in the 8th and was relieved by right-hander Carlos Martinez. Wacha’s final line for the game: 7⅓ innings, one run, one hit, two talks, and nine strikeouts.

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In Wacha’s final start of the season on September 24, he carried a no-hitter through 8 and 2/3 innings before giving up an infield hit.

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Pittsburgh will employ the same lineup that they used in the team’s 5-3 victory in Game 3. The Pirates official twitter account sent out a picture of the team’s starting nine:

First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. ET, with coverage of the game on TBS.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. ET on TBS.

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Cardinals manager Mike Matheny called on southpaw Kevin Siegrist to face Alvarez, but the third baseman delivered in the clutch, smacking a single to drive in Harrison.

Byrd slapped a two-out single, plating both runners and giving Pittsburgh an early 2-0 lead.

The outfielder delivered in the clutch, cracking a two-run single to tie the game at 2-2.

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The outfielder, known for his postseason performances, delivered in the clutch, guiding a single up the middle to drive in both runners.

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It certainly helped that Morneau crushed the ball right at Adams, but the first baseman made a heads-up play to quickly apply the tag. The Cardinals, however, have not been able to do much offensively and trail 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

The crowd at PNC Park really started to get into the game after the Byrd single:

Liriano tossed a second straight perfect inning, earning his second strikeout of the game against Freese. Kelly issued a two-out walk to Liriano, but otherwise worked a clean bottom half of the second.