Cardinals Clinch Third Straigh NL Central Title
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In the middle of an eventual loss, the St. Louis Cardinals clinch their third straight NL Central title due to Houston's loss to Atlanta.
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Both the Cardinals and Atlanta Braves were picked to finish third in their respective National League divisions this year but both teams easily won their divisions.
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The St. Louis Cardinals have powered their way to the best record in baseball, and their manager has a stern warning for the rest of the majors. "Our best baseball is ahead of us," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "I really believe that." Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds homered in the first, Jeff Suppan (14-6) won his fifth straight start, and the Cardinals completed a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres with a 7-2 victory Thursday night.
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St. Louis Cardinals&#39; Albert Pujols (5) swings for a 3-run home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, in Los Angeles.
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Warner Robins, Ga., won the Little League World Series championship on Sunday, the third consecutive title for the United States.
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Scott Rolen became the third St. Louis player to hit 30 homers this season and Chris Carpenter set a career best with his 13th win, leading the Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 Friday night to complete a day-night doubleheader sweep.
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The St. Louis Cardinals' magic number to clinch the NL Central for a third straight season dropped to five last Wednesday.
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Jim Edmonds tripled home the winning run in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 Friday night to reduce their magic number for clinching the NL Central to three.
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Prince Fielder hits his NL-leading 48th home run and the Milwaukee Brewers move within three games of first place, beating the St. Louis Cardinals, 13-5.
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The St. Louis Cardinals lost their game &#151; and hardly cared. They won the NL Central, which was much more important.
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Albert Pujols homered for the fifth time in the last four games and drove in five runs as the St Louis Cardinals routed the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 in National League play at Busch Stadium on Monday.
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Russell Branyan tripled in two runs and Chris Young pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings as the San Diego Padres beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 in National League Division Series play on Saturday in St. Louis.
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The St. Louis Cardinals became the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season, beating the Diamonbacks, 7-0, Saturday.
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The St Louis Cardinals continued their  assault on the National League Central Division pennant with a  4-1 victory over the slumping Atlanta Braves on Sunday.
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Jim Edmonds hit his 300th career home run, Jason Marquis won his 11th straight decision, and the Cardinals won their eighth in a row, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers, 5-1, last night in St. Louis.
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The St. Louis Cardinals became the first major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season, winning the NL Central for the third time in five seasons.
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The Chicago Cubs beat the St Louis Cardinals 12-3 to regain a share of first place in the National League Central Division on Monday, Aramis Ramirez leading the onslaught with two home runs.