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Andrew Benintendi hit a solo homer run in the first inning and scored what proved to be an important insurance run in the eighth to help the St. Louis River Walkers to a 3-2 win over the Madison Muskies in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium.
Matt Olson had an RBI double off St. Louis starting pitcher Aaron Nola in the top of the first, staking the Muskies to a 1-0 lead.
But Benintendi, the No. 2 batter in the River Walkers' order, quickly wiped that out with a 394-foot shot off Madison starting pitcher Adam Wainwright in the bottom half of the inning.
Two batters later, Michael Conforto sent a Wainwright delivery 384-feet to give St. Louis a 2-1 lead.
It would remain that way until the bottom of the eighth, when Benintendi drew a one-out walk from Drew Steckenrider.
He stole second and wound up on third on a throwing error by catcher Tyler Flowers.

A Steckenrider wild pitcher than allowed Benintendi to score.
Oakland answered back in the top of the ninth. Olson hitting a one-out homer off reliever Bobby Poyner.
Brett Gardner kept things going with a two-out walk from Brad Boxberger. He moved to third on a Tyler Flowers single.
However, Boxberger got Adalberto Mondesi to ground out to third baseman Nicky Delmonnico to end it.
After allowing the first-run, Nola was impressive going seven innings and allowing just the one run on three hits. He struck out one and walked none.
Wainwright was not bad either. He departed after six innings, giving up two runs on four hits. He struck out three and walked the same.