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Russell ends Lackey's no-hit bid in sixth

ST. LOUIS -- Cardinals starter John Lackey flirted with postseason history when he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning during Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday vs. the Cubs at Busch Stadium. The suspense ended when Addison Russell led off the top of the sixth with a rolling single through the middle. St. Louis topped Chicago, 4-0, to take the opener of the five-game series.

Through the fifth, Lackey faced the minimum 15 batters while throwing only 56 pitches. His lone blemish was a one-out walk on five pitches to Kyle Schwarber in the top of the fourth inning. But the next batter, Kris Bryant, ended the inning by grounding to third base for a double play.

Lackey, who also allowed a single to Schwarber in the seventh, exited the game with one out in the eighth inning and the Cardinals ahead, 1-0. Matt Holliday hit an RBI single in the first.

Video: CHC@STL Gm1: Carpenter fields, starts the double play

There have only been two postseason no-hitters in Major League history. In Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, Yankees right-hander Don Larsen threw a perfect game to defeat the Dodgers. In Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS vs. the Reds, Phillies ace Roy Halladay allowed one walk during his no-hitter.

The Cubs had already been on the wrong end of a no-hitter during the regular season. On July 25, they were held hitless by Cole Hamels at Wrigley Field during his final start for the Phillies before he was traded to the Rangers.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon and Facebook and listen to his podcast.
Read More: St. Louis Cardinals, Addison Russell, John Lackey