Cardinals stake claim to NL Central title

~ Cardinals clinch division title on final day of season, avoid wild-card game

PHOENIX -- The St. Louis Cardinals never made it easy on themselves, laboring through injuries and inconsistency, unable to get into the NL Central race until around the All-Star break.

Even after they surged into the lead, the Cardinals had a hard time finishing it off, limping to the finish while allowing Pittsburgh to hang around for a chance at the division title.

It all came down to game No. 162 and it ended up being the easiest win of the season -- even if they didn't need it.

The Cardinals clinched their second straight NL Central title before the first pitch Sunday and finished off the regular season with a get-to-the-celebration 1-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny embraces pitcher Adam Wainwright in the dugout shortly after it was announced the Pirates lost to the Reds, clinching the NL Central title for St. Louis, on Sunday. Wainwright was scheduled to be the starting pitcher against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix but he returned to the clubhouse after the Reds won. (CHRIS LEE ~ St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Next up: The Dodgers in the NL division series Friday in Los Angeles.

"Fortunately, we weathered the storm and the guys just put their nose down," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "I'm real proud of the guys."

The Cardinals were assured of a playoff spot entering the day. What that spot would be depended on whether they could beat the Diamondbacks or Cincinnati knocked off Pittsburgh.

The Reds took care of business for the Cardinals by beating the Pirates 4-1, a victory that was announced about 10 minutes before St. Louis' game against Arizona.

The Cardinals celebrated in the dugout, then they did it again after the final out against the Diamondbacks, wildly spraying each other with champagne and beer after an oh-so-sweet finish to their second straight 90-win season.

The Cardinals’ Yadier Molina, left, and Daniel Descalso celebrate after the Cardinals’ 1-0 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday in Phoenix. The Cardinals clinched their second straight NL Central title minutes before the first pitch when the Reds defeated the Pirates 4-1. (Rick Scuteri ~ Associated Press)

"We know Pittsburgh had a good run, but we had a better one," Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina said.

Once Sunday's game started, both teams seemed to go through the motions, the only run coming on Kolten Wong's groundout in the sixth inning off Josh Collmenter (11-9).

The Cardinals scratched scheduled starter Adam Wainwright just before the game, using five relievers instead.

"I think I threw a pitch without looking because I was watching the scoreboard," Wainwright said. "It was a great feeling.

The 20-game winner was replaced by Nick Greenwood. Justin Masterson (3-3) later pitched two scoreless innings and Carlos Martinez got the final two outs for his first save.

Cardinals players, including pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) and Matt Carpenter, right, pour onto the field after the final out of Sunday’s win against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix. (Chris Lee~ St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Arizona went down meekly, managing two hits to finish 64-98, worst in the majors and second-worst record in team history.

"We had higher expectations coming out of the spring," Arizona reliever Brad Ziegler said. "Whether you look at the injuries or the pure lack of execution on the field, this is not how we wanted to finish. We definitely don't feel like we are the worst team in baseball, even though the record says we were this year."

The Cardinals notched their 23rd shutout of the season, third-most in team history. The 1968 team had 30 and the 1944 team had 26.

Cardinals: LF Matt Holliday was out of the lineup after leaving in the sixth inning Saturday night due to flu-like symptoms.

Up next

Cardinals: Wainright will start against NL Cy Young Award favorite Clayton Kershaw in the division series opener against the Dodgers.