Cardinals win Game 5 of NLDS

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Adam Wainwright held the hug with catcher Yadier Molina a few extra seconds, soaking in his latest pressure-packed performance for the St. Louis Cardinals. "I've got to put it right up there with the most fun and one of the greatest moments of my career so far," Wainwright said. "Those are the kind of moments that starting pitchers live for. I almost didn't want to let go of Yadier." Wainwright went all the way on the mound Wednesday night, pitching the Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 and into the NL championship series for the third straight season. David Freese and Matt Adams each hit a two-run homer, and Wainwright scattered eight hits for his second dominant win of the division series.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) celebrates with catcher Yadier Molina after Wainwright struck out Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez in the ninth inning to win Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Sarah Conard)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, left, celebrates with catcher Yadier Molina after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 to win Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) talks to his teammates in the clubhouse after the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 in a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Adams (53) celebrates with Matt Holliday (7) as Adams crosses home plate after driving in Holliday with a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. Catching for the Pirates is Russell Martin, center. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates after striking out Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez in the ninth inning to win Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter, left, celebrates after turning a double play as Pittsburgh Pirates' Clint Barmes, right, watches the play at first base that ended the top of the sixth inning in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. Starling Marte hit into the double play. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma makes a diving catch of a ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates' Neil Walker in the fourth inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran, right, celebrates after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) celebrates in the locker room after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 in a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Players are introduced before Game 5 of a National League baseball division series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates after striking out Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez for the final out of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina celebrate Wainwright's complete game victory as teammates rush the field after Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (AP Photo/post-dispatch.com, Chris Lee)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, right, runs to catcher Yadier Molina, center, as Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, left, walks to the dugout after striking out in the ninth inning to end Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Daniel Descalso (33) jumps onto pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina, right, after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese hits a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese is congratulated by first-base coach Chris Maloney, right, after Freese hit a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran wipes sparkling wine off his face as the Cardinals celebrate a 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 in a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese (23) is greeted at home plate by Jon Jay (19) after Freese drove in Jay with a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. At right is Pete Kozma. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright reacts after throwing a complete game shut out during Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (AP Photo/post-dispatch.com, Chris Lee)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese, right, is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, right, celebrates after Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez, left, struck out in the top of the ninth inning to end Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won the game 6-1 and won the series 3 games to 2. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates after striking out Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez for the final out of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Marlon Byrd, left, walks off the field as the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after the Cardinals beat the Pirates 6-1 to win Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese follows through on a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Adams hits a two-run home run against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mark Melancon, foreground, in the eighth inning in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. Catching for the Pirates is Russell Martin. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Sarah Conard)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese (23) runs to the dugout with Jon Jay (19) after Freese drove in Jay with a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese hits a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals fan Dawn Schallenberg, of Bethalto, Ill., cheers as the Cardinals are introduced before Game 5 of a National League baseball division series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Adams stands in the clubhouse after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Shane Robinson, left, celebrates after the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 in a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates his complete game victory as teammates rush the field after Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (AP Photo/post-dispatch.com, Chris Lee)
The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Sarah Conard)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates after striking out Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez for the final out of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jon Jay, left, catches a fly ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates' Garrett Jones as right fielder Carlos Beltran (3) backs Jay up in the sixth inning of Game 5 in a National League baseball division series Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrates in the clubhouse after Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (AP Photo/post-dispatch.com, Chris Lee)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese runs to first base after hitting a two-run home run against Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, right, in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma makes a diving catch of a ball hit by Pittsburgh Pirates' Neil Walker in the fourth inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter celebrates after turning a double play against the Pittsburgh Pirates to end the top of the sixth inning in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals pour sparkling wine over Matt Adams, foreground, as they celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Clint Barmes kneels on second base after being forced out on a double play by the St. Louis Cardinals to end the top of the sixth inning in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese runs to first base after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) enters the clubhouse after the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 in a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) leaves the field after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals' Jon Jay (19) is congratulated by first base coach Chris Maloney (37) after Jay singled and drove in Matt Holliday in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) talks to his teammates in the clubhouse after the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 in a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday bats against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals fans cheer as Matt Holliday (7) runs to the dugout after scoring on a home run by Matt Adams in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A sign for tickets is attached to a gate at Busch Stadium before Game 5 of a National League baseball division series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Sarah Conard)
St. Louis Cardinals' Jon Jay drives in Matt Holliday with a single in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. Catching for the Pirates is Russell Martin. (AP Photo/Sarah Conard)
St. Louis Cardinals' Michael Wacha, left, and David Freese, right, celebrate after the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 in Game 5 in a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese runs to first base after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese, right, is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Justin Morneau (66) scores on a ground ball hit by Pedro Alvarez as St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, right, takes the throw in the top of the seventh inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' David Freese, right, is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright throws to a Pittsburgh Pirates batter in the first inning of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Adams hits a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Adams (53) celebrates with Yadier Molina (4) as Adams crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning in Game 5 of a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won the game 6-1and won the series 3 games to 2.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina, right, is safe at first as the ball gets past Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Justin Morneau in the fourth inning of Game 5 in a National League baseball division series on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. Molina was credited with a single on the play. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez walks off the field after striking out for the final out of Game 5 of a National League baseball division series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) and teammates celebrate in the locker room after the Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates to win Game 5 in a National League baseball division series, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 6-1, and advanced to the NL championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)