Pirates, Dodgers Claim NLDS Victories

Pirates Clip Cardinals For 2-1 Series Lead

(Pittsburgh, PA) -- Pedro Alvarez and Russell Martin hit back-to-back RBI-singles in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Pirates past the Cardinals 5-3 in Game Three of their National League Division Series at PNC Park. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle says they would love to close the series out at home.

Martin and Marlon Byrd drove in two runs each for the Bucs, who take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Mark Melancon picked up the win after giving up a game-tying solo homer to Carlos Beltran in the top of the eighth. Jason Grilli closed it out for the save. Beltran knocked in all three runs for the Cards, who will try to even the series and avoid elimination in Game Four on Monday. Carlos Martinez suffered the loss.

Dodgers Pound Braves In NLDS Game Three

(Los Angeles, CA) -- Carl Crawford went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer to power the Dodgers in a 13-6 win over the Braves in Game Three of the NLDS from Los Angeles. Hanley Ramirez went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Juan Uribe connected on a two-run homer. Yasiel Puig went 3-for-5 with two RBI as LA took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series. Hyun-Jin Ryu lasted just three innings and allowed four runs while Chris Capuano picked up the win in relief. Julio Teheran was charged with the loss after allowing six runs in less than three innings. Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer in defeat. Atlanta will look to hold off elimination in Game Four on Monday.

Sunday, October 6 Scoreboard

MLB Playoffs

Pittsburgh Pirates 5, St. Louis Cardinals 3
(Pirates lead best-of-five NLDS, 2-1)

Los Angeles Dodgers 13, Atlanta Braves 6
(Dodgers lead best-of-five NLDS, 2-1)

Monday, October 7 Schedule (All Times Central)

MLB Playoffs

12:07 p.m. - Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers
(Best-of-five ALDS tied, 1-1)

2:07 p.m. - St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates
(Pirates lead best-of-five NLDS, 2-1)

5:07 p.m. - Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays
(Red Sox lead best-of-five ALDS, 2-0)

8:37 p.m. - Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers
(Dodgers lead best-of-five NLDS, 2-1)