We're back in business, baby!
Before the game started the season was on the brink. The Brewers were down 2-1 in the series and had looked mostly atrocious on the road. Even more concerning was the fact that Randy Wolf, who had a disaster start last time out in Arizona was taking the mound. Quite frankly, I did not believe this series would come back to Milwaukee. But at the very least, that is what's going to happen.
Wolf was the crafty lefty that he absolutely, positively needed to be and the offense finally found a way to get some hits with runners in scoring position. Even better, K-Rod and Axford were pitched (mostly) stress-free innings en route to a 4-2 victory. Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves an incredible series on our hands. A few quick thoughts:
-The slide Jerry Hairston made as he scored the tying run was incredibly beautiful. The throw beat him to the plate, but he was able to contort himself in a way to touch the plate safely. The play happened because...
-...Yuni Betancourt of all people is having a fantastic series at the plate. He's 7-16 in the NLCS with 4 RBI and a home run. That he's become the Brewers' ace in the hole this post season is not something I would have bet on under any circumstances.
-Ryan Braun is continuing to cement his legacy as a Wisconsin sports legend. Should he stay healthy for the duration of his contract he will absolutely make the Hall of Fame.
-Prince Fielder has done the impossible: make me like Albert Pujols a little. Pujols, who is often dour and likes to admire his home runs, was smiling with Prince Fielder when he was on first base. Kudos to Pujols for appearing human and an even bigger kudos to Fielder for causing that to happen.
-Speaking of Fielder, he gave props to Ryan Theriot after he sharply grounded into an inning-ending double play. It was an incredible act of sportsmanship that deserves a lot of national attention. This, as well as the previous point, demonstrates that Prince Fielder gets it. Yes, the stakes are high, but at the end of the day baseball is just a game. The sooner fans, players, and owners realize this, the better.
-Whatever happens from here on out, I am ecstatic the series will end in Milwaukee. And hey, if we're lucky the series will end in the best way imaginable.
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