MILWAUKEE – Nyjer Morgan did it again for the Milwaukee Brewers, delivering an RBI single in the 10th inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-2, Friday in the decisive Game 5 of their National League division series.
Morgan hit a one-out grounder up the middle, and Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz tried in vain to stop it with his leg. Carlos Gomez scored from second, sailing across home plate as a wild throw went high, and Morgan was mobbed by jubilant teammates near the mound.
The latest dramatic finish for baseball’s best home team at raucous Miller Park gave Milwaukee its first victory in a postseason series since it won the American League pennant in 1982.
“We’ve heard all about 1982, so it’s nice to start our own legacy,” slugger Ryan Braun said.
The Brewers will face the St. Louis Cardinals, 1-0 winners over the Phillies in Game 5 of their NLDS series Friday night. The NL Championship Series begins Sunday at Miller Park.
The Diamondbacks went from last place a year ago to win the NL West. Arizona did all it could to extend its surprising season. Centerfielder Chris Young made an astounding catch in the sixth inning, and the Diamondbacks had one last comeback left in the ninth.
Willie Bloomquist drove in the tying run with a safety squeeze, but the Diamondbacks were unable to forge ahead against closer John Axford.
“This was a great baseball game today. I’m not happy to be on this end of it. Yet I’m proud of my team and they played true to the way they played all year,” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said.
“And the Brewers, they cashed in on their opportunities, what can we say? we had tons of opportunities.”
Morgan was a critical addition for the Brewers this year and had several clutch hits, winning fans along the way with his oversize personality that includes a wild-man alter-ego he calls “Tony Plush.” but he wasn’t having a particularly productive series until his big moment in the deciding game.
“He’s been getting big hits all year,” Braun said. “He enjoys the moment.”
With a 2-1 lead and their tough 1-2 bullpen combination of Francisco Rodriguez and Axford lined up for the eighth and ninth innings, the Brewers appeared to have punched their ticket to the NLCS.
But the Diamondbacks had the most comeback victories in the majors this season (48) and weren’t about to go away easily.
They nearly got the best of Rodriguez in the eighth. he loaded the bases with two outs for Ryan Roberts, one of two Diamondbacks players to hit a grand slam in the series. but Rodriguez got Roberts to ground into a force-out at second base, ending the threat.
Axford pitched the ninth, allowing a leadoff double to Gerardo Parra. The reliever nearly hit pinch-hitter Sean Burroughs with a pitch, then Burroughs blooped a single to put runners on first and third.
Bloomquist pushed a bunt to the right side, and first baseman Prince Fielder nearly collided with Axford while fielding the ball. Fielder stumbled and was unable to get off a throw to the plate as the tying run scored.
Justin Upton grounded into a force-out at second, and pinch-hitter Henry Blanco hit a grounder to shortstop. Yuniesky Betancourt fielded the ball and barely beat Upton to second base to end the inning – although Betancourt paid for it, getting spiked in the left leg.
Axford ended the regular season with 43 consecutive saves, and saved Game 1 of the series. he had not blown a save chance since April 18 against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Axford got the win Friday despite a rough outing. Putz took the loss.
“We’ve had great comebacks all year. Unfortunately tonight, we weren’t able to finish it off,” Gibson said.
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