MLB Playoffs: Brewers Power Past Cardinals to Take Game 1 of NLCS
By Editorial Staff
Offense was king last night, as the Milwaukee Brewers outslugged the St. Louis Cardinals to a 9-6 victory in the National League Championship Series opener.
The Cardinals took an early lead on Matt Holliday’s RBI single in the first. Ryan Braun quickly erased that advantage, getting the Brewers on the board with his two run shot in the bottom of the frame.
St. Louis forged back ahead, scoring four runs between the 4th and 5th innings. The big blow came off the bat of David Freese, who hit his second home run of the playoffs, a three run shot. Freese has now hit in five straight postseason contests, with a pair of doubles and home runs to go with his eight RBI’s.
But Cardinals pitching once again quickly surrendered the lead, as the Brewers put up a six spot in the bottom of the 5th. Three extra base hits accounted for the six runs. Prince Fielder and Yuniesky Betancourt each contributed two run home runs while Braun tallied his third and fourth RBI’s of the night with his two run double.
Braun has been ridiculous this postseason, as he finished last night’s game hitting at a clip of .500/.577/.1000 with five doubles, two home runs and eight RBI’s over six playoff games.
Brewers starter Zack Greinke went six innings, giving up all six of the Cardinals runs. After his exit, Milwaukee’s pen was able to stop the bleeding, shutting the Cardinals down over the game’s final three frames. St. Louis only mustered a single hit from the 7th inning on while striking out four times.
Eight of the Brewers eleven hits went for extra bases, as Milwaukee took Cardinals pitching deep three times. Each home run came with runners on base.
The teams get right back at it tonight, as game two is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Shaun Marcum takes the ball for the Brewers while Edwin Jackson will try to carry over his success from game four of the NLDS.
For more on the Cardinals and Brewers, be sure to check out Redbird Rants and Reviewing the Brew.