2011 National League Division Series
Encyclopedia
The 2011 National League Division Series
(abbreviated NLDS) were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason
, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 National League Championship Series
. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played in two series. TBS televised all games in the United States (except Game 3 of the Brewers–Diamondbacks series, which aired on TNT due to scheduling conflicts with the ALDS
). The regular season finished on September 28, with the National League playoffs beginning October 1.
Under MLB's playoff format, no two teams from the same division were matched up in the Division Series, regardless of whether their records would normally indicate such a matchup. Home field advantage went to the team with the better regular-season record with the exception of the wild card team, which defers home field advantage regardless of record. The matchups are:
The Phillies and Cardinals played against each other in the postseason for the first time. The Brewers and Diamondbacks also met for the first time, having both joined the National League in 1998—Arizona as an expansion team
and Milwaukee in a move from the American League after the AL expanded by adding the Tampa Bay Rays
.
This is the first time since the strike-shortened that both National League Division Series matchups went to a deciding Game 5 (it happened to the American League in 2001). The Dodgers
beat the Astros
at home while the Montreal Expos
(now known as the Washington Nationals
) beat the Phillies
on the road to advance to the NLCS
. Another interesting note is that the 1981 NLDS used a 2 road–3 home format where the better record hosts the last three games (as opposed to the 2 home–2 road–1 home format used today). Los Angeles cliched the pennant
over Montreal on the road to eventually win the World Series
over the Yankees
on the road in Game 6.
) at Citizens Bank Park
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Cardinals struck first on Lance Berkman's three-run home run off Phillies' starter Roy Halladay in the first inning. The Phillies fought back on Shane Victorino
's RBI single in the fourth, and Ryan Howard put Philadelphia ahead with a second-deck three-run shot in the sixth. Two batters later Raúl Ibañez added to the lead with a two-run homer to gave the Phillies a three-run lead. Ibañez's homer was the desicive blow to Cardinals' starter Kyle Lohse, who was out of the game after innings. The Phillies' offense punched five more runs off the Cardinals' bullpen. In the top of the ninth, the Cardinals scored three runs on Adron Chambers
' RBI single and Skip Schumaker
's two-run double off reliever Michael Stutes
, but closer Ryan Madson
struck out Jon Jay
and Matt Holliday
to seal the win for the Phillies.
) at Citizens Bank Park
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Phillies scored early on RBI singles by Ryan Howard
and Raúl Ibañez
in the first inning. Hunter Pence
's single in the second scored Jimmy Rollins
and gave the Phillies a 4–0 lead. With Cliff Lee
on the mound, who was 7–2 in the postseason and 3–0 in the League Division Series, and Chris Carpenter
, who pitched on three days' rest, was out after three innings, things did not look good for the Cardinals. However, the offense started to do their work in the fourth, when Ryan Theriot
, Jon Jay
, and Rafael Furcal
each knocked in one run for the Cardinals. Jon Jay singled again in the sixth to tie the game and Albert Pujols
' RBI single in the seventh gave the Cardinals the lead. The Cardinals' bullpen picked up where Carpenter left off, combined to throw six innings of scoreless, one-hit ball. The Cardinals' closer Jason Motte
pitched a four-out save to seal the win.
This is the third consecutive postseason loss for Lee going back to the 2010 World Series
.
) at Busch Stadium
in St. Louis, Missouri
After six scoreless innings from both starting pitchers, the Phillies sent Ben Francisco
to pinch-hit for Cole Hamels
, following an intentional walk to Carlos Ruiz, and a single by Shane Victorino
. Francisco homered the second pitch from Jaime García
405 feet (123.4 m) over the left center wall to give the Phillies a 3–0 lead.
In the sixth inning, a squirrel—soon to become more famous the next day under the name "Rally Squirrel
"—appeared in the outfield, causing a brief interruption in play.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Cardinals added a run with Allen Craig
scoring off an RBI single by David Freese
. In the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals were able to load the bases with one out, thanks to singles by Ryan Theriot
, pinch hitter Matt Holliday
, and Rafael Furcal
. However, the Cardinals were not able to capitalize, with Allen Craig grounding out into an inning ending double play. In the bottom of the ninth, Albert Pujols
led off with his third double of the game. Following a flyout by Lance Berkman
and a ground out by Freese (which sent Pujols to third), Yadier Molina
singled to center, bringing Pujols home, and making it a one-run game. Theriot then grounded out to second to end the game, giving the Phillies a 2–1 series lead.
) at Busch Stadium
in St. Louis, Missouri
Before the second-largest crowd (47,071) in Busch Stadium
history, the Cardinals staved off elimination with a 5–3 home victory over the Phillies. The Phils struck first with two runs in the first inning off Edwin Jackson
. Jimmy Rollins
doubled and scored on a triple by Chase Utley
, who came home on Hunter Pence
's single to make it 2–0. The Cards cut the lead to 2–1 in the bottom half when Lance Berkman
doubled in Skip Schumaker
. Berkman advanced to third when Shane Victorino
misplayed the ball, but was unable to score. Meanwhile, Jackson settled down after the shaky first, allowing only two hits in the next five innings. The Cards took the lead on David Freese
's two-run double in the fourth, scoring Berkman and Matt Holliday
to make it 3–2, Cardinals.
In the fifth inning, the Rally Squirrel
again appeared, crossing home plate as Oswalt was delivering a pitch to Skip Schumaker
. The pitch was called a ball, but Oswalt and manager Charlie Manuel
argued for "no pitch", which appeal was denied by home-plate umpire Ángel Hernández
. Schumaker then flied out, but the Rally Squirrel went on to become a cause célèbre
in St. Louis.
St. Louis extended their lead to 5–2 in the sixth when Freese hit a two-run homer to the grassy area in center field. After that, the Cards' bullpen took it the rest of the way. Arthur Rhodes
pitched a 1–2–3 seventh, but Fernando Salas
ran into trouble in the eighth, allowing a run on a wild pitch to cut the Cardinals' lead to 5–3. The Phillies would bring the tying run to the plate in the form of St. Louis native Ryan Howard
later in the inning, but Marc Rzepczynski
struck out Howard to escape the jam. In the bottom half, Albert Pujols
batted against Brad Lidge
, a pitcher whom Pujols victimized with a three-run home run in the 2005 playoffs, when Lidge was with Houston
. Lidge, however, got Pujols to fly out to right. Jason Motte
got the save by retiring the Phillies in order in the ninth. Center fielder Jon Jay
made a sliding catch of a line drive by former Cardinal Plácido Polanco
for the final out.
) at Citizens Bank Park
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Cardinals struck first in the first inning when lead-off batter Rafael Furcal
hit a triple and Skip Schumaker
followed with a double, but no other runs were scored with Halladay laboring through over 30 pitches in that inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Phillies had runners at the corners with two outs. On a 3–2 count, the batter Raúl Ibañez got a pitch down the middle, and hit it hard. The TV camera then focused in the right field stands, only to suddenly move down and show Lance Berkman making the catch at the warning track. Halladay was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth after giving up six hits and one run, throwing 126 pitches, 87 for strikes. He walked one (intentional to Albert Pujols
), striking out seven. Ryan Madson
replaced Halladay in the ninth. Chris Carpenter
got Ryan Howard
to ground out to second, capping off a three-hit shutout, becoming the first pitcher to throw a shutout in a deciding game of the NLDS, and the first pitcher to throw a shutout in a deciding game of a playoff series since Jack Morris
did in the 1991 World Series
.
over Philadelphia Phillies
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In Game 1 the Diamondbacks started 21-game winner Ian Kennedy against the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo. Milwaukee had the better of the matchup, as the Brewers' two sluggers Ryan Braun
and Prince Fielder
powered the team to four runs, with Fielder hitting a two-run home run and Braun collecting three hits. Gallardo pitched eight innings of one-run ball, striking out nine batters, and John Axford recorded the save.
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Brewers started Game 2 on a high note with Ryan Braun hitting a two-run homer in the first inning, but starter Zack Greinke
, pitching on three days' rest, gave up three home runs to the Diamondbacks in five innings and left with the game in a 4–4 tie. The Brewers retook the lead in the sixth on a Jonathan Lucroy
squeeze bunt
and rallied to score four more runs in the inning, allowing the Brewers to have a five-run lead. The Brewers bullpen pitched scoreless ball for the last four innings in helping the Brewers gain a 2–0 series lead.
) at Chase Field
in Phoenix, Arizona
With support from the sellout crowd, the Diamondbacks' offense finally broke out in Game 3. The D-backs scored two runs in the first on Miguel Montero's RBI double and Paul Goldschmidt
's RBI single, one in the third on Montero's RBI single, and five in the fifth on Goldschmidt's grand slam and Ryan Roberts' RBI single. Backed up by the offense, starter Josh Collmenter hurled seven innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, and two walks while striking out six. The only run for the Brewers came from Corey Hart's solo homer in the top of the third. With the 8–1 lead, relievers David Hernandez and J. J. Putz pitched the eighth and the ninth each to seal the win.
) at Chase Field
in Phoenix, Arizona
The Diamondbacks knocked in ten runs—eight on four homers—to force a decisive Game 5.
The Brewers scored early in the first inning on Ryan Braun
's RBI double. But the D-backs fought back in the bottom half on Ryan Roberts' grand slam and Chris Young's solo homer. The Brewers scored two more runs on George Kottaras
' RBI groundout in the second and Jerry Hairston, Jr.
's RBI double in the third. The D-backs answered with Collin Cowgill
's two-run single in the bottom of the third. Both starters were ineffective as each pitched only three innings, but the two homers allowed by Randy Wolf made the most difference, putting the Brewers into an early 7–3 hole.
The Brewers continued scoring on Corey Hart's sacrifice fly in the sixth and Carlos Gómez's two-run homer. But the D-backs also scored three more runs on Aaron Hill's solo home run in the sixth and Chris Young's two-run homer, his second of the night, in the seventh. Closer J. J. Putz pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the win for the D-backs.
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Diamondbacks struck first with Justin Upton
's solo home run in the top of the third inning, but the Brewers immediately tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a Jerry Hairston, Jr.
sacrifice fly
scoring Nyjer Morgan
. The Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Yuniesky Betancourt
hit an RBI single scoring Ryan Braun
. In the top of the ninth John Axford
came in on a save situation, but blew it when Willie Bloomquist
hit an RBI bunt single scoring Gerardo Parra
. Axford was able to escape with a pair of fielder's choice
outs to Upton and Henry Blanco
. The game went into extra innings after David Hernandez
pitched a 1–2–3 ninth. In the top of the 10th Axford pitched a 1–2–3 inning of his own, and then with J. J. Putz pitching in the bottom of the 10th, Morgan hit the walk-off RBI single scoring Carlos Gómez
to give Milwaukee the victory.
It was the Brewers' first playoff series win since beating the California Angels
3–2 in the 1982 ALCS
, and also made the NLCS for the first time, having moved to the National League
in 1998
.
over Arizona Diamondbacks
National League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series...
(abbreviated NLDS) were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason
Major League Baseball postseason
The Major League Baseball postseason is an elimination tournament held after the conclusion of Major League Baseball's regular season. It consists of one best-of-five series and two best-of-seven series...
, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 National League Championship Series
2011 National League Championship Series
The 2011 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, against each other for the National League championship and the right to be the league's representative in the...
. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played in two series. TBS televised all games in the United States (except Game 3 of the Brewers–Diamondbacks series, which aired on TNT due to scheduling conflicts with the ALDS
2011 American League Division Series
The 2011 American League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...
). The regular season finished on September 28, with the National League playoffs beginning October 1.
Under MLB's playoff format, no two teams from the same division were matched up in the Division Series, regardless of whether their records would normally indicate such a matchup. Home field advantage went to the team with the better regular-season record with the exception of the wild card team, which defers home field advantage regardless of record. The matchups are:
- (1) Philadelphia Phillies2011 Philadelphia Phillies seasonThe Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
(East Division champions, 102–60) vs. (4) St. Louis Cardinals2011 St. Louis Cardinals seasonThe St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
(Wild Card qualifier, 90–72): Cardinals won the series, 3–2. - (2) Milwaukee Brewers2011 Milwaukee Brewers seasonThe Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
(Central Division champions, 96–66) vs. (3) Arizona Diamondbacks2011 Arizona Diamondbacks seasonThe Arizona Diamondbacks' 2011 season, the franchise's fourteenth season in Major League Baseball, included the team's first National League West championship since 2007, subsequently, their fifth division title since coming into the MLB...
(West Division champions, 94–68): Brewers won the series, 3–2.
The Phillies and Cardinals played against each other in the postseason for the first time. The Brewers and Diamondbacks also met for the first time, having both joined the National League in 1998—Arizona as an expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
and Milwaukee in a move from the American League after the AL expanded by adding the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
This is the first time since the strike-shortened that both National League Division Series matchups went to a deciding Game 5 (it happened to the American League in 2001). The Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
beat the Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
at home while the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(now known as the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
) beat the Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on the road to advance to the NLCS
1981 National League Championship Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 13, 1981 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Dodgers took the first game of the series behind the strong pitching of starter Burt Hooton. For the first seven innings the game stayed close, with the only scoring coming in the second inning when the Dodgers got...
. Another interesting note is that the 1981 NLDS used a 2 road–3 home format where the better record hosts the last three games (as opposed to the 2 home–2 road–1 home format used today). Los Angeles cliched the pennant
1981 National League Championship Series
- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 13, 1981 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Dodgers took the first game of the series behind the strong pitching of starter Burt Hooton. For the first seven innings the game stayed close, with the only scoring coming in the second inning when the Dodgers got...
over Montreal on the road to eventually win the World Series
1981 World Series
The 1981 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their third meeting in the Series in five years as well as a record eleventh Series meeting overall and last Series meeting to date...
over the Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
on the road in Game 6.
Participants
- On September 14, the Philadelphia Phillies2011 Philadelphia Phillies seasonThe Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
became the first team to qualify for the NLDS (additionally they had the best record in MLB with 102 wins and 60 losses, 13 games over Atlanta in the National League East (NL East) at the end of the 2011 season, as well as the first team in either league to qualify for the postseason.) On September 17, the Phillies clinched the NL EastNational League EastThe National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
title for the fifth consecutive season.
- On September 23, after a win over the Marlins and the Cardinals' loss to the Cubs, the Milwaukee Brewers2011 Milwaukee Brewers seasonThe Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
clinched the NL CentralNational League CentralThe National League Central Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the Western Division and three teams from the Eastern Division of the National League...
title. It was the Brewers' first NL Central title since joining the division in 19981998 Major League Baseball season*American League Championship Series MVP: David Wells**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Sterling Hitchcock**National League Division Series*All-Star Game, July 7 at Coors Field: American League, 13-8; Roberto Alomar, MVP...
, their first of any kind since winning the 1982 American League pennant1982 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1982 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, CaliforniaThe Angels jumped to a 1–0 lead in the first when Brian Downing scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Don Baylor. Milwaukee came back to take a 3–1 lead with a two-run homer by Gorman Thomas in the second and a run...
, when they won the AL EastAmerican League EastThe American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
title, and their first playoff berth since 20082008 Milwaukee Brewers seasonThe 2008 Milwaukee Brewers season opened with optimism as the team attempted to build on the success of the 2007 season - their first winning season since 1992....
.
- Also on September 23, the Arizona Diamondbacks2011 Arizona Diamondbacks seasonThe Arizona Diamondbacks' 2011 season, the franchise's fourteenth season in Major League Baseball, included the team's first National League West championship since 2007, subsequently, their fifth division title since coming into the MLB...
clinched the NL WestNational League WestThe National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
, their first time since 20072007 Arizona Diamondbacks seasonThe Arizona Diamondbacks' 2007 season started with the Diamondbacks attempting to win the NL West Division. The Arizona Diamondbacks' biggest move in the offseason was when, on January 9, 2007, they got their 2001 World Series co-MVP back, pitcher Randy Johnson after making a blockbuster deal with...
.
- On September 28, after making up over a 10-game deficit in the final month of the season and going into the season's last day tied with the Braves for the last playoff berth, the St. Louis Cardinals2011 St. Louis Cardinals seasonThe St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
clinched the NL Wild Card by beating the Astros while the Braves lost in extra innings to the Phillies.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Game 1, October 1
5:07 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
The Cardinals struck first on Lance Berkman's three-run home run off Phillies' starter Roy Halladay in the first inning. The Phillies fought back on Shane Victorino
Shane Victorino
Shane Patrick Victorino is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed.-Career:...
's RBI single in the fourth, and Ryan Howard put Philadelphia ahead with a second-deck three-run shot in the sixth. Two batters later Raúl Ibañez added to the lead with a two-run homer to gave the Phillies a three-run lead. Ibañez's homer was the desicive blow to Cardinals' starter Kyle Lohse, who was out of the game after innings. The Phillies' offense punched five more runs off the Cardinals' bullpen. In the top of the ninth, the Cardinals scored three runs on Adron Chambers
Adron Chambers
Adron Lamar Chambers is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is 5', 10" tall and he weighs 185 pounds.-Early life:...
' RBI single and Skip Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
's two-run double off reliever Michael Stutes
Michael Stutes
Michael Christopher Stutes is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.Stutes is a graduate of Lake Oswego High School in 2004, where he was a classmate of basketball player Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves...
, but closer Ryan Madson
Ryan Madson
Ryan Michael Madson , nicknamed "Mad Dog", is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is a currently a free agent...
struck out Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
and Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
to seal the win for the Phillies.
Game 2, October 2
8:37 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
The Phillies scored early on RBI singles by Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
and Raúl Ibañez
Raúl Ibáñez
Raúl Javier Ibáñez is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.Over his career, Ibáñez, who did not make 500 plate appearances until the age of thirty, has batted .280 with 377 doubles, 252 home runs and 1054 runs batted in over sixteen Major League seasons...
in the first inning. Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence
Hunter Andrew Pence is a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
's single in the second scored Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins
James Calvin "Jimmy" Rollins , nicknamed "J-Roll", is an All-Star and former MVP shortstop, who most recently played for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball's National League....
and gave the Phillies a 4–0 lead. With Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
on the mound, who was 7–2 in the postseason and 3–0 in the League Division Series, and Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
, who pitched on three days' rest, was out after three innings, things did not look good for the Cardinals. However, the offense started to do their work in the fourth, when Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot
Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
, Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
, and Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
each knocked in one run for the Cardinals. Jon Jay singled again in the sixth to tie the game and Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
' RBI single in the seventh gave the Cardinals the lead. The Cardinals' bullpen picked up where Carpenter left off, combined to throw six innings of scoreless, one-hit ball. The Cardinals' closer Jason Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
pitched a four-out save to seal the win.
This is the third consecutive postseason loss for Lee going back to the 2010 World Series
2010 World Series
The 2010 World Series was the 106th occurrence of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff, played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion San Francisco Giants, began on Wednesday, , and ended on Monday, , with the Giants...
.
Game 3, October 4
5:07 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
After six scoreless innings from both starting pitchers, the Phillies sent Ben Francisco
Ben Francisco
Louis Ben Francisco is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right handed.-Early life:...
to pinch-hit for Cole Hamels
Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael "Cole" Hamels is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels throws a four-seam fastball, a circle changeup, a curveball, and a cut fastball, which he added in 2010...
, following an intentional walk to Carlos Ruiz, and a single by Shane Victorino
Shane Victorino
Shane Patrick Victorino is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed.-Career:...
. Francisco homered the second pitch from Jaime García
Jaime García
Jaime García Cruz was a Spanish horse rider who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics and in the 1952 Summer Olympics....
405 feet (123.4 m) over the left center wall to give the Phillies a 3–0 lead.
In the sixth inning, a squirrel—soon to become more famous the next day under the name "Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel is the name given to an American gray squirrel which appeared on the field and ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during a 2011 National League Division Series Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 2011...
"—appeared in the outfield, causing a brief interruption in play.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Cardinals added a run with Allen Craig
Allen Craig
Allen Thomas Craig is a Major League Baseball utility player for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Amateur career:...
scoring off an RBI single by David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
. In the bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals were able to load the bases with one out, thanks to singles by Ryan Theriot
Ryan Theriot
Ryan Stewart Theriot is a Major League Baseball infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals.Theriot is the son of Randy and Mary Theriot, and has an older brother Wes and younger brother Austin. Both his father and older brother played baseball at Broadmoor High School.Theriot graduated from Broadmoor...
, pinch hitter Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
, and Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
. However, the Cardinals were not able to capitalize, with Allen Craig grounding out into an inning ending double play. In the bottom of the ninth, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
led off with his third double of the game. Following a flyout by Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
and a ground out by Freese (which sent Pujols to third), Yadier Molina
Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamin Molina known affectionately by fans as "Yadi", is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.Molina was the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, along with Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. He is considered one of the best defensive...
singled to center, bringing Pujols home, and making it a one-run game. Theriot then grounded out to second to end the game, giving the Phillies a 2–1 series lead.
Game 4, October 5
6:07 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
Before the second-largest crowd (47,071) in Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
history, the Cardinals staved off elimination with a 5–3 home victory over the Phillies. The Phils struck first with two runs in the first inning off Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
. Jimmy Rollins
Jimmy Rollins
James Calvin "Jimmy" Rollins , nicknamed "J-Roll", is an All-Star and former MVP shortstop, who most recently played for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball's National League....
doubled and scored on a triple by Chase Utley
Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley is a second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. A native of the Greater Los Angeles area, he was raised in the city of Long Beach. He was a star baseball player at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, before moving on to UCLA...
, who came home on Hunter Pence
Hunter Pence
Hunter Andrew Pence is a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence stands tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
's single to make it 2–0. The Cards cut the lead to 2–1 in the bottom half when Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
doubled in Skip Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
. Berkman advanced to third when Shane Victorino
Shane Victorino
Shane Patrick Victorino is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed.-Career:...
misplayed the ball, but was unable to score. Meanwhile, Jackson settled down after the shaky first, allowing only two hits in the next five innings. The Cards took the lead on David Freese
David Freese
David Richard Freese is a third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. A star high school player, Freese chose not to play college baseball in his freshman year of college, but returned to the game a year later...
's two-run double in the fourth, scoring Berkman and Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
to make it 3–2, Cardinals.
In the fifth inning, the Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel
Rally Squirrel is the name given to an American gray squirrel which appeared on the field and ran across home plate at Busch Stadium during a 2011 National League Division Series Major League Baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 2011...
again appeared, crossing home plate as Oswalt was delivering a pitch to Skip Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
. The pitch was called a ball, but Oswalt and manager Charlie Manuel
Charlie Manuel
Charles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies...
argued for "no pitch", which appeal was denied by home-plate umpire Ángel Hernández
Angel Hernandez (umpire)
Ángel Hernández is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He has worked in the National League from 1991 to 1999, and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He has umpired in the World Series in 2002 and 2005, as well as the 1999 All-Star Game...
. Schumaker then flied out, but the Rally Squirrel went on to become a cause célèbre
Cause célèbre
A is an issue or incident arousing widespread controversy, outside campaigning and heated public debate. The term is particularly used in connection with celebrated legal cases. It is a French phrase in common English use...
in St. Louis.
St. Louis extended their lead to 5–2 in the sixth when Freese hit a two-run homer to the grassy area in center field. After that, the Cards' bullpen took it the rest of the way. Arthur Rhodes
Arthur Rhodes
Arthur Lee Rhodes, Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.-Career:Rhodes played high school baseball at La Vega High School in Waco, Texas. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft.Rhodes made his MLB debut with the Orioles...
pitched a 1–2–3 seventh, but Fernando Salas
Fernando Salas
Noel Fernando Salas is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Professional career:...
ran into trouble in the eighth, allowing a run on a wild pitch to cut the Cardinals' lead to 5–3. The Phillies would bring the tying run to the plate in the form of St. Louis native Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
later in the inning, but Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Rzepczynski
Marc Walter Rzepczynski is an American professional baseball left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.The Toronto Blue Jays blogosphere gave Rzepczynski the nickname "Scrabble".-Amateur career:...
struck out Howard to escape the jam. In the bottom half, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
batted against Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...
, a pitcher whom Pujols victimized with a three-run home run in the 2005 playoffs, when Lidge was with Houston
2005 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros' 2005 season was a season in which the Houston Astros qualified for the postseason for the second consecutive season. The Astros overcame a sluggish 15-30 start to claim the wild card playoff spot, and would go on to win the National League pennant to advance to the World Series...
. Lidge, however, got Pujols to fly out to right. Jason Motte
Jason Motte
Jason Louis Motte is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Career:Motte graduated from Valley Central High School, Montgomery, N.Y., in 2000 where he was a catcher...
got the save by retiring the Phillies in order in the ninth. Center fielder Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
made a sliding catch of a line drive by former Cardinal Plácido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
for the final out.
Game 5, October 7
8:37 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,647-seat baseball park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, and home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004, and hosted its first regular season baseball game on April 12 of the same year, with the...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
The Cardinals struck first in the first inning when lead-off batter Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
hit a triple and Skip Schumaker
Skip Schumaker
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker is a Major League Baseball Outfielder and Second Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Biography:...
followed with a double, but no other runs were scored with Halladay laboring through over 30 pitches in that inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Phillies had runners at the corners with two outs. On a 3–2 count, the batter Raúl Ibañez got a pitch down the middle, and hit it hard. The TV camera then focused in the right field stands, only to suddenly move down and show Lance Berkman making the catch at the warning track. Halladay was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth after giving up six hits and one run, throwing 126 pitches, 87 for strikes. He walked one (intentional to Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
), striking out seven. Ryan Madson
Ryan Madson
Ryan Michael Madson , nicknamed "Mad Dog", is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is a currently a free agent...
replaced Halladay in the ninth. Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
got Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard
Ryan James Howard is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed "The Big Piece", Howard stands and weighs . He bats and throws left-handed....
to ground out to second, capping off a three-hit shutout, becoming the first pitcher to throw a shutout in a deciding game of the NLDS, and the first pitcher to throw a shutout in a deciding game of a playoff series since Jack Morris
Jack Morris
John Scott "Jack" Morris is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games throughout his career...
did in the 1991 World Series
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
.
Composite box
2011 NLDS (3–2): St. Louis Cardinals2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
over Philadelphia Phillies
2011 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies 2011 season was the 129th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their fifth consecutive National League East championship, and also finished with the best record in baseball for the second straight year. The Phillies, at 3-1 odds, were the heavy-favorite...
Game 1, October 1
2:07 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
In Game 1 the Diamondbacks started 21-game winner Ian Kennedy against the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo. Milwaukee had the better of the matchup, as the Brewers' two sluggers Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
and Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
powered the team to four runs, with Fielder hitting a two-run home run and Braun collecting three hits. Gallardo pitched eight innings of one-run ball, striking out nine batters, and John Axford recorded the save.
Game 2, October 2
5:07 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
The Brewers started Game 2 on a high note with Ryan Braun hitting a two-run homer in the first inning, but starter Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
, pitching on three days' rest, gave up three home runs to the Diamondbacks in five innings and left with the game in a 4–4 tie. The Brewers retook the lead in the sixth on a Jonathan Lucroy
Jonathan Lucroy
Jonathan Charles Lucroy is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school and college:...
squeeze bunt
Squeeze play (baseball)
In baseball, the squeeze play is a maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base. The batter bunts the ball, expecting to be thrown out at first base, but providing the runner on third base an opportunity to score...
and rallied to score four more runs in the inning, allowing the Brewers to have a five-run lead. The Brewers bullpen pitched scoreless ball for the last four innings in helping the Brewers gain a 2–0 series lead.
Game 3, October 4
9:37 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Chase Field
Chase Field
Chase Field is a baseball stadium located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. It opened in , just in time for the Diamondbacks' first game as an expansion team...
in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
With support from the sellout crowd, the Diamondbacks' offense finally broke out in Game 3. The D-backs scored two runs in the first on Miguel Montero's RBI double and Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Edward Goldschmidt is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Baseball career:Goldschmidt was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft, out of the Texas State University.He was the California League MVP and...
's RBI single, one in the third on Montero's RBI single, and five in the fifth on Goldschmidt's grand slam and Ryan Roberts' RBI single. Backed up by the offense, starter Josh Collmenter hurled seven innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, and two walks while striking out six. The only run for the Brewers came from Corey Hart's solo homer in the top of the third. With the 8–1 lead, relievers David Hernandez and J. J. Putz pitched the eighth and the ninth each to seal the win.
Game 4, October 5
9:37 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Chase Field
Chase Field
Chase Field is a baseball stadium located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. It opened in , just in time for the Diamondbacks' first game as an expansion team...
in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
The Diamondbacks knocked in ten runs—eight on four homers—to force a decisive Game 5.
The Brewers scored early in the first inning on Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
's RBI double. But the D-backs fought back in the bottom half on Ryan Roberts' grand slam and Chris Young's solo homer. The Brewers scored two more runs on George Kottaras
George Kottaras
George Kottaras is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Kottaras attended Milliken Mills High School in Markham, Ontario, Canada.-Professional baseball career:...
' RBI groundout in the second and Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Jerry Wayne Hairston, Jr. is a Mexican-American professional baseball utility player.-Professional career:...
's RBI double in the third. The D-backs answered with Collin Cowgill
Collin Cowgill
Collin Brannen Cowgill is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft from the University of Kentucky....
's two-run single in the bottom of the third. Both starters were ineffective as each pitched only three innings, but the two homers allowed by Randy Wolf made the most difference, putting the Brewers into an early 7–3 hole.
The Brewers continued scoring on Corey Hart's sacrifice fly in the sixth and Carlos Gómez's two-run homer. But the D-backs also scored three more runs on Aaron Hill's solo home run in the sixth and Chris Young's two-run homer, his second of the night, in the seventh. Closer J. J. Putz pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the win for the D-backs.
Game 5, October 7
5:07 p.m. (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
The Diamondbacks struck first with Justin Upton
Justin Upton
Justin Irvin Upton is a National Major League Baseball right fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks....
's solo home run in the top of the third inning, but the Brewers immediately tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Jerry Wayne Hairston, Jr. is a Mexican-American professional baseball utility player.-Professional career:...
sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
scoring Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Jamid Morgan nicknamed Tony Plush is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers....
. The Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida.-Cuban leagues:...
hit an RBI single scoring Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
. In the top of the ninth John Axford
John Axford
John Berton "The Ax Man" Axford is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.-Path to the majors:...
came in on a save situation, but blew it when Willie Bloomquist
Willie Bloomquist
William Paul Bloomquist is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played every position, aside from either of the battery positions, during his MLB career....
hit an RBI bunt single scoring Gerardo Parra
Gerardo Parra
Gerardo Enrique Parra is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Major league career:...
. Axford was able to escape with a pair of fielder's choice
Fielder's choice
In baseball, fielder's choice is a term used to refer to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner, or the defensive team's indifference to his advance...
outs to Upton and Henry Blanco
Henry Blanco
Henry Ramón Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He currently plays in Major League Baseball as a catcher and is currently a free agent...
. The game went into extra innings after David Hernandez
David Hernandez (baseball)
David Jose Hernandez is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks...
pitched a 1–2–3 ninth. In the top of the 10th Axford pitched a 1–2–3 inning of his own, and then with J. J. Putz pitching in the bottom of the 10th, Morgan hit the walk-off RBI single scoring Carlos Gómez
Carlos Gómez
Carlos Argelis Gómez Pena, nicknamed "Go-Go", is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.-Minor leagues:...
to give Milwaukee the victory.
It was the Brewers' first playoff series win since beating the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
3–2 in the 1982 ALCS
1982 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1982 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, CaliforniaThe Angels jumped to a 1–0 lead in the first when Brian Downing scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Don Baylor. Milwaukee came back to take a 3–1 lead with a two-run homer by Gorman Thomas in the second and a run...
, and also made the NLCS for the first time, having moved to the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in 1998
1998 Major League Baseball season
*American League Championship Series MVP: David Wells**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Sterling Hitchcock**National League Division Series*All-Star Game, July 7 at Coors Field: American League, 13-8; Roberto Alomar, MVP...
.
Composite box
2011 NLDS (3–2): Milwaukee Brewers2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
over Arizona Diamondbacks
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2011 season, the franchise's fourteenth season in Major League Baseball, included the team's first National League West championship since 2007, subsequently, their fifth division title since coming into the MLB...