In the playoffs, the "little things" win ballgames and Sunday, those little things turned into a big deal for the Brewers in their 9-4 victory over Arizona in Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Miller Park.
With the one on and one out in the sixth and the score tied, 4-4, notorious free-swinger Yuniesky Betancourt was in the midst of a rare four-pitch walk when Brad Ziegler, who came on to relieve starter Daniel Gibson, was called for a balk, sending Jerry Hairston, Jr. to third.
From that point on, the floodgates were open for the Brewers.
Everybody pitched in to make it happen, too. After Betancourt reached, catcher Jonathan Lucroy laid down a perfect squeeze. Hairston might have been tagged at the plate had Ziegler not botched the throw to catcher Miguel Montero.
"I work on that a lot at practice and stuff," Lucroy said of his squeeze. "Just being in the hole I am, the position I am in the lineup, sometimes you're called on to do strange things, especially with the pitcher hitting behind you, and it's a free RBI if you execute.
"I really work hard to try to get that down and it's worked out for me."
Mark Kotsay, hitting for the pitcher, came up next and was intentionally walked to load the bases. Then Corey Hart, Nyjer Morgan and Ryan Braun all followed with RBI-singles, breaking the game open and forcing Ziegler from the game without recording a single out.
"The little things are big," said Hairston, whose one-out double got things started for Milwaukee in the sixth. "Whether it's a sacrifice bunt, moving guys over ... the little things matter. When you have guys like 'Braunie' and Prince, with the big power, the little things add up with that."
Proponents of the "small-ball" style of play would have loved the inning. Only one of Milwaukee's hits – Hairston's double – went for extra-bases. But that's to be expected in the postseason, according to Kotsay.
"That's playoff baseball," Kotsay said. "You don't usually see a lot of home runs in playoff baseball. We got through the inning there and every guy did their job with runners in scoring position. It was good to see."
The outburst allowed Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke to turn to his bullpen, which has been one of the team's biggest strengths over the final weeks of the regular season. The relievers struggled at times, but preserved the lead. Takashi Saito got the victory, with LaTroy Hawkins, Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford each pitching a scoreless inning.
"I thought our relievers were a little off today, especially walking people," Roenicke said. "But they're still able to make pitches when they need to make pitches. "
Milwaukee starter Zack Greinke took the mound on three days' rest and was spotty but effective. His fastball lacked its usual zip and movement but his slider was dominant early, and allowed him to stay ahead of batters through a five-inning, 86-pitch stint.
He allowed four runs on eight hits, including three home runs, but struck out seven and walked none.
"It certainly wasn't his best game, but I thought he threw well," Roenicke said. "I thought he battled real well and they did a nice job of hitting."
The Brewers staked him to an early lead on a two-run home run from Ryan Braun in the first inning. It was his first career postseason homer and kicked off a 3-for-4 day.
In the series' first two games, Braun is hitting .750 (6-for-8) with a home run, two doubles and three RBIs.
"You know, that's a good pitcher they have out there and he really puts quality at-bats together," Roenicke said. "To get those hits and again Prince comes up, gets the base hit up the middle to drive in a run."
The Brewers now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, which resumes Tuesday night at Chase Field in Phoenix.
