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Big League Stew

Thu Oct 06 01:06am EDT

NLDS Game 4: Arizona’s offense takes series to limit

By 'Duk

NLDS Game 4: Arizona’s offense takes series to limit

Score and situation: The Arizona Diamondbacks joined the Yankees and the Cardinals on the "never say die" train with a 10-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night. The victory ties the series at two and forces a decisive Game 5 back in Wisconsin on Friday. It marks the first time since 2001 that the first round has seen three series go the distance.

Leading lads: One night after Paul Goldschmidt(notes) hit a grand slam, teammate Ryan Roberts(notes) joined in the fun. His first-inning grand salami put the D'Backs in control in the early going. Chris Young contributed two homers of his own — a solo shot right after Roberts' grand slam and a two-run job in the seventh.

NLDS Game 4: Arizona’s offense takes series to limitHeadhangers: With his team needing a strong clinching performance, Randy Wolf(notes) instead turned in the worst start of the 2011 postseason by allowing seven earned runs over three innings of work. The last time anyone gave up as many runs in as few innings was the Dodgers' Chad Billingsley(notes), who gave up seven runs over 2 1/3 innings in Game 2 of the 2008 NLCS.

Key Play: Roberts' slam set the tone, but it was Kirk Gibson's decision to pinch-hit for pitcher Joe Saunders(notes) in the third inning that kept the offense turning. Collin Cowgill(notes) rewarded Gibson's faith with a two-run single that stretched Arizona's lead to four.

Interesting stat: Goldschmidt's and Roberts' grand slams were the 51st and 52nd in postseason history and the first since Shane Victorino(notes) blasted one off C.C. Sabathia(notes) in 2008. Baseball-Reference has the full list.

What they'll be talking about: Both teams have held serve through the first four games and now the NLDS returns to Milwaukee, where the Brewers have been near unbeatable. Yovani Gallardo(notes) was amazing in his first start in the series (8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 9K) while Ian Kennedy(notes) was not his usual self (6.2 ER, 8 H, 4 ER). Both men will again put it on the line with an entire season hanging in the balance. The Brewers haven't won a postseason series since 1982, while the Diamondbacks are looking for their first trip to the NLCS since 2007.

What's next: Friday's Game 5 at Miller Park will begin at 5:07 p.m. ET.

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