>>Cards Crush Nats To Take 2-1 NLDS Lead
St. Louis is just a win away from a trip to the National League Championship Series. Pete Kozma belted a three-run homer to lead a 14-hit attack as the Cardinals crushed the Nationals 8-0 in Game Three of their National League Division Series in Washington. It spoiled the first playoff game in the nation's capital in 79 years. Matt Holliday went 3-for-5 with two RBI for St. Louis, which leads the best-of-five matchup two-games-to-one. Chris Carpenter scattered seven hits and two walks over five-and-two-thirds innings for the win. Edwin Jackson gave up four runs in five frames to take the loss. Ian Desmond went 3-for-4 for the Nats, who host Game Four Thursday.
>>A's, Yankees Get Walk-Off Wins
(Undated) -- A pair of walk-off wins highlighted a busy day of playoff baseball on Wednesday. The A's scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to avoid elimination and notch a 4-3 win over the Tigers in Game Four of their ALDS. The A's have won two straight in the series to force a decisive Game Five at 9:37 p.m. on Thursday.
In New York, Raul Ibanez [[ ee-BAHN-yez ]] clubbed a solo homer in the bottom of the 12th to give the Yankees a 3-2 win over the Orioles. Ibanez pinch-hit for Alex Rodriguez and smacked a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras. The Yanks now hold a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five ALDS. New York hosts Game Four at 7:37 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.
In the other NLDS, the Giants hammered the Reds, 8-3, to force a decisive Game Five. The Giants homered three times and Tim Lincecum got the win in relief. The Reds, who held a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, will host the decider at 1:07 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.
>>Cards Can Close Out Series Today
(Washington, DC) -- The Cardinals can close out their NL Division Series with a win in Game Four this afternoon in Washington. Kyle Lohse will get the start for the Redbirds. The 34-year-old veteran finished 16-and-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 33 starts during the regular season. The Nationals will counter with left-hander Ross Detwiler, who went 10-and-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 33 games including 27 starts this year. First pitch is at 3:07 p.m.
>>Cards' Holliday Nominated For Hank Aaron Award
(Undated) -- Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday has been named a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award. The honor is given to the most outstanding offensive player in each league. Holliday batted .295 with 27 home runs and 102 RBI in 157 games this season. Voting runs through Tuesday and the winners will be announced during the World Series.
