Carlos Beltran, David Freese Vault Cardinals to Game 1 Win Over Giants in NLCS

SAN FRANCISCO — Carlos
Beltran and David Freese each hit two-run homers as the St. Louis
Cardinals held on to beat the San Francisco Giants 6-4 Sunday night in
Game 1 of the NL Championship Series.

The wild-card Cardinals took an
early 6-0 lead and made it stand. Two days earlier, St. Louis
overcame a 6-0 deficit to beat Washington in the deciding Game 5 of the Division Series.

After starter Lance Lynn struggled, the St. Louis bullpen delivered with 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Giants dropped to 0-3 at home so far during this postseason, being outscored 20-6 at AT&T Park.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night. Chris Carpenter pitches for the Cardinals against Ryan Vogelsong.