 Cardinals open NLDS with victory
Nederlands
 ST. LOUIS, Missouri (USA) -
St. Louis Cardinals overwhelmed Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday-evening with a 7-run third inning in the opener of the best-of-five National League Division Series and went on to win 9-1.
St. Louis captured the title in the Central Division and is the team with the best record in the National League, finishing the season 97-65.
By the way, that's the same as Boston Red Sox, which had the best record in the American League.
The Cardinals struck with a 7-run rally in the third inning to hand the Pirates an early and big deficit.
It all began with a walk for lead-off hitter Adam Wainwright, who then advanced on a single by Matt Carpenter.
Next, Carlos Beltran homered to make it 3-0.
Hereafter, the Cardinals got the bases loaded when Matt Holliday doubled, Matt Adams was hit by a pitch and Yadier Molina walked.
Pittsburgh-starter A.J. Burnett then also walked Jon Jay to bring in the next run.
Next batter David Freese then cleared the bases with a 3-run single that lifted the lead to 7-0.
That marked the end for Burnett.
He was replaced by Jeanmar Gomez, who retired the next three batters.
St. Louis' starter Adam Wainwright retired the first eleven batters he faced.
With two outs in the second inning, Pittsburgh got its first baserunners when Andrew McCutchen and Justin Morneau both singled.
But Wainwright then ended the at bat with a strikeout.
Wainwright's shutout ended in the fifth inning when Pedro Alvarez led off with a homerun.
But Wainwright retired the next three batters, including the last two with a strikeout.
St. Louis got the run back in the home of the fifth.
Jon Jay led off with a walk and moved to second base on a single by David Freese.
He then moved when the latter was forced out on a grounder by Daniel Descalso and was able to score when a throwing error followed trying to complete a double play.
The Cardinals added another run in the sixth inning.
With two outs, Matt Adams walked, then made it 9-1 when Yadier Molina followed with a double.
St. Louis outhit Pittsburgh 10-4 in the opener.
Game 2 will be played on Friday.
(October 3)
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