San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner walks back to the dugout after he was pulled from the game during the fourth inning of game one of the 2012 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals at AT&T Park. (PHOTO: US PRESSWIRE)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - David Freese and Carlos Beltran each hit a two-run homer to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the San Francisco Giants, 6-4, in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at AT&T Park.
Jon Jay and Pete Kozma also drove in runs for the Cardinals, who are coming off a 3-2 series win over the Washington Nationals in the NLDS.
Lance Lynn got the start for St. Louis and surrendered four runs on five hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings, but six relievers combined to allow just two hits and a pair of walks the rest of the way.
Edward Mujica (1-0) struck out the side in a perfect inning of relief to earn the win, while Jason Motte worked a scoreless ninth inning to record the save.
Madison Bumgarner (0-1) was touched for six runs on eight hits and a walk through 3 2/3 frames to take the loss for San Francisco, which also went the distance in its NLDS series, edging the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2.
The Giants' bullpen also put in a dominant performance, pitching 5 1/3 hitless innings.
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