The Milwaukee Brewers had taken the first game of the 2011 National League Division Series. On this day, they took command of that series – thanks to one huge inning.
The Brewers started the bottom of the sixth inning with a 4-4 score after the Arizona Diamondbacks slashed at Milwaukee’s 4-1 lead, then wiped it away by chasing starter Zach Greinke with a two-run home run by Justin Upton in the top of the 5th inning.
But the Brewers took away all realistic hope of Arizona overcoming the Crew by batting around in the sixth.
With one out, Jerry Hairston ignited the explosion with a double to left field, chasing Daniel Hudson from the mound. A balk by new pitcher Brad Ziegler put Hairston on third, a walk put Yuniesky Betancourt on base, and then Jonathan Lucroy’s improbable bunt single scored Hairston to give the Crew back the lead.
Mark Kotsay was intentionally walked, and Corey Hart made the D-Backs pay for that decision with another RBI single.
Now with a 2-run lead, Nyjer Morgan doubled the advantage with a two-run single off Ziegler. Finally Ryan Braun ended the RBI singles fest with one of his own, giving Milwaukee a 9-4 advantage that held up as the final score.
The Crew suddenly had a 2-0 series lead going to Arizona. They would need it, as Arizona held serve in their two home games, but the Brewers got the job done in the end, winning the series three games to two.