The St. Louis Cardinals will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first two games of the National League Championship Series.
The Cardinals advanced for the third straight year by taking Game 5 of the division series, using a pair of two-run homers and outstanding pitching to defeat the Pirates 6-1. The Redbirds went ahead to stay on a two-run homer by David Freese in the second inning, his seventh career postseason round-tripper. Matt Adams added a two-run blast late in the game to cap the scoring.
Pitcher Adam Wainwright had a two-hit shutout with two outs in the top of the seventh. Wainwright went the distance on an eight-hitter while striking out five to get his 21st victory of the year and second of the series.
Meanwhile, the New York Yankees won't be seeking a new skipper for next season. Manager Joe Girardi signed a four-year extension that keeps him under contract with the Yankees through 2017. He was in the final year of his deal.
In the NFL, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski appears closer to making his 2013 debut, although a person with knowledge of Gronkowski's condition says doctors haven't cleared him to play yet and won't know for a few days.
The Jets have placed outside linebacker Antwan Barnes on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has been charged with three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, stemming from a house party in June 2012.
On the NHL scoreboard, St. Louis beat Chicago 3-2. Calgary topped Montreal 3-2 and Los Angeles passed Ottawa 4-3 in overtime.
Finally checking NBA preseason action, New York edged Boston 103-102. It was Minnesota over Toronto 101-89. New Orleans beat Orlando 99-95. Dallas passed Memphis 95-90 and Portland fell to Phoenix 104-98.
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