For the first time in 29 years, the Milwaukee Brewers were favored to win a playoff series. They were expected to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2011 National League Division Series after gaining home field advantage in the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
To hold serve, the Brewers sent ace Yovani Gallardo to the mound against Arizona counterpart Ian Kennedy in Game 1 at Miller Park.
Gallardo did his part. He allowed just four hits in eight innings and one earned run. He struck out nine batters in his 106-pitch outing against the Arizona lineup.
Kennedy did well for the first few innings, but in the fourth, Jerry Hairston’s sacrifice fly scored the first run of the series for Milwaukee.
Two innings later, Jonathan Lucroy’s single scored Yuniesky Betancourt to make it 2-0.
Finally, Prince Fielder launched a line drive into the stands to make Milwaukee’s lead 4-0 and chase Kennedy to the showers.
The Brewers held on for a 4-1 win and their first-ever series lead while a member of the National League.