Cards Go The Distance In Winning NLCS Opener…US Soccer Team Blanks Jamaica

ST. LOUIS (AP) — In the longest opener of a National League Championship Series, the St. Louis Cardinals outlasted the L.A. Dodgers 3-2 in 13 innings. Carlos Beltran drove in all three St. Louis runs, including the game-winner on a line drive single in the 13th inning to end the four hour, 47-minute game.

BOSTON (AP) — The Detroit Tigers, fresh off their Game 5 victory over Oakland in the first round of the playoffs, hand the ball to 14-game winner Anibal Sanchez in Saturday's opener of the AL Championship Series against Boston. The Red Sox are going with 15-game winner Jon Lester.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The U.S. soccer team, already assured of a berth in next year's World Cup, continues to impress in qualifying. The Americans blanked Jamaica 2-0. Graham Zusi and Jozy Altidore scored second-half goals to assure the United States would finish first in its six-team qualifying group.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) —New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski is still listed as questionable for making his 2013 debut. Gronkowski is coming back from offseason surgeries on his left forearm and back and has been a limited participant in every practice since the regular season began. The Pats could use their All-Pro tight end Sunday when they host undefeated New Orleans.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson says he's playing Sunday against Carolina despite some heavy emotional baggage. Peterson's 2-year-old son died Friday in South Dakota of severe head injuries, and a man has been charged with aggravated assault and battery in the child's death.