Cardinals take early lead in decisive NLDS Game 5 after a David Freese two-run homer

By Drew SilvaOct 9, 2013, 8:43 PM EST
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Cardinals postseason legend David Freese has struck in this loser-heads-home NLDS Game 5.

What looked like a brewing pitcher’s duel suddenly turned into an early 2-0 lead for host St. Louis when Freese launched a two-run homer to left field with two outs in the bottom of the second inning, setting off a round of fireworks at Busch Stadium. Jon Jay drew a two-out walk in an eight-pitch at-bat off Pirates starter Gerrit Cole to set up the big two-run blast.

Freese — including this year’s results — is a .325/.391/.593 hitter in 35 postseason games.

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright has held the Pirates to one hit in his first two frames.

Report: Nationals sign Matt Adams

Matt Adams
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By Ashley VarelaDec 15, 2018, 4:36 PM EST
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Free agent first baseman Matt Adams has signed a one-year, $3 million pact with the Nationals, the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports. The contract comes with a $1 million buyout on a 2020 option, bringing the total value to $4 million. Official confirmation is still pending completion of a physical.

The 30-year-old infielder will return to familiar turf in Washington after spending the first half of the 2018 season there. He was dealt to the Cardinals in late August for cash considerations and finished the season batting a collective .239/.309/.477 with a career-high 21 home runs, .786 OPS and 0.8 fWAR through 337 plate appearances for the two National League clubs.

Despite his impressive display of power, Adams experienced a significant decline at the plate over the second half of the season, batting well under the Mendoza Line as the Cardinals pushed for a postseason berth against the division-winning Brewers and Wild Card-contending Cubs. Still, he saw enough early success in Washington to merit a second look and should provide a sturdy backup to Ryan Zimmerman at first base in 2019.