The St. Louis Cardinals have reached the National League baseball championship series for the third straight year by defeating the San Diego Padres, 6-2.
The host Cardinals broke a tie with four runs in the sixth inning Sunday to give star pitcher Chris Carpenter his second win of the best-of-five series. Carpenter recovered from a shaky start when he gave up two runs before his teammates ever came to bat.
St. Louis won the series in four games, setting up a battle with the New York Mets to decide the National League team that will advance to Major League Baseball's World Series.
The Cardinals visit the Mets Wednesday in the opening game of the best-of-seven National League title series.
The American League championship series begins Tuesday in California, where the Oakland Athletics will host the Detroit Tigers.
Some information for this report provided by AP.
