Adam Wainright and Yadier Molina appeared to be re-enacting a scene from the 2006 MLB playoffs when the two joined together in a celebration hug after the series-clinching pitch on Wednesday night.

As we fast-forward 7 years, Wainwright did not throw the final pitch as the rookie closer he was in 2006 but instead this time he retired the final batter of the game as the starting pitcher. And just like that, the St. Louis Cardinals found themselves in the National League Championship Series yet again -- the third year in a row -- after finally ending the Pittsburgh Pirates' feel-good season that saw the team officially return to relevance. It was a close, 3-1 game until the eighth inning when St. Louis finally pulled away.

"I've got to put it right up there with the most fun and one of the greatest moments of my career so far," Wainwright said after tossing a full 9 innings while giving up only 1 run. "Those are the kind of moments that starting pitchers live for. I almost didn't want to let go of Yadier."

It took a full five games for the Cardinals to complete the series victory. Both teams were facing the decisive game five in a best of five series and Pittsburgh would not go down easily like the team had been doing for the last two decades. This season marked the first time the Pirates had a winning season in 20 consecutive seasons.

St. Louis not only won the series at home but they'll be picking up right where they left off. Game 1 of the NLCS will be in St. Louis when the Los Angeles Dodgers will travel to town. The Dodgers just finished taking care of the Atlanta Braves in the other NLDS series.