Matt Holiday’s 2-Run HR Lifts Cardinals To Win, Will Host NLDS Game 5

Matt Holliday's two-run blast in the sixth was enough offense for rookie Michael Wacha and the St. Louis Cardinals as the birds have forced a decisive Game 5 in their National League Division Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In fact, Wacha took a no-hitter into the eighth before Pedro Alvarez broke up the no-no and shutout with a solo homer. It was Pittsburgh's lone hit of the day as the Pirates missed a chance to close out their division rivals at home and advance to the NL Championship Series.

Incredibly, Wacha pitched 8 2/3 innings of no-hit ball against the Washington Nationals in his final outing of the regular season - only to have his history making attempt quashed by an infield single needing just one more out for the no-hitter.

Kid is unstoppable, huh?

He ended the day Monday with a 7 1/3 innings of one-run, one-hit ball against two walks and nine strikeouts.

His counterpart, Charlie Morton, only made one real mistake on the afternoon as well - the homer to Holliday. Morton was charged with two runs over five and a third innings with four walks and four-K's.

Game 5 is set for Wednesday (5:07 p.m. eastern on TBS) with Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole and St. Louis' Adam Wainwright penciled in as the scheduled starters.