Cards grab 2-1 series lead over Dodgers in NL playoffs

The St. Louis Cardinals topped the Los Angeles Dodgers 31 thanks to strong pitching by veteran starter John Lackey and a late home run by second baseman Kolten Wong and now lead their bestoffive National League Division Series two games to one.

Known for their execution and attention to detail, the Cardinals won with the long ball on Monday night at Busch Stadium, with third baseman Matt Carpenter hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the third and Wong delivering the goahead runs with a tworun blast in the bottom of the seventh.

Sandwiched in between, shortstop Hanley Ramirez drove in the Dodgers’ only run with a double in the top of the sixth inning that brought home center fielder Yasiel Puig.

Lackey got the win after working seven innings and giving up just one run. Dodgers starter Hyunjin Ryu pitched well after a long injury layoff, surrendering just one run over six innings.

Wong’s home run came off Dodgers reliever Scott Elbert, who took the loss after giving up three hits and two earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning.

The Cardinals, who eliminated the Dodgers in last year’s playoffs, can advance to the National League Championship Series with a win in Tuesday’s Game 4, which also will be played in St. Louis.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will pitch Tuesday on just three days of rest, while Shelby Miller will take the mound for St. Louis.

In one other game Monday, the Washington Nationals stayed alive with a 41 road victory over the San Francisco Giants, who lead that NLDS two games to one.

The bestofseven American League Championship Series pitting the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals will kick off on Friday.