The Dodgers won two close ballgames to start the series in L.A. before Vicente Padilla turned in a terrific Game 3 outing, silencing the Cardinals over seven innings to help clinch Los Angeles' NLCS berth.

Andre Ethier and Rafael Furcal each went 6-for-12 in the series for Los Angeles. Ethier scored five runs, hit two doubles, one triple and went deep twice.

Path to the NLDS: ?Los Angeles (95-67) won the NL West by three games; St. Louis (91-71) won the NL Central by 7 1/2 games?

Managers: Joe Torre, LAD; Tony La Russa, STL