Only four teams have come back from an 0-2 deficit in the Division Series in the past 20 years -- the 1995 Mariners, 1999 Red Sox, 2001 Yankees, and 2003 Red Sox. A National League team hasn't done it since the 1984 Padres.
Milwaukee Pounds Arizona Bullpen, Takes 2-0 Series Lead
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No pressure, Diamondbacks.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game Two on Sunday, 9-4, giving them a commanding 2-0 lead in the NLDS.
Daniel Hudson had another case of first-inningitis, allowing a two-run home run to Ryan Braun just three batters into the game. In the third, he ran afoul of the Brewers' middle of the order, allowing a double to Braun, a single to Prince Fielder, and a triple to Rickie Weeks. Hudson was pulled after 5⅓ innings, allowing nine hits, and striking out seven without allowing a walk.
The Diamondbacks had three home runs in the game -- usually a predictable way to guarantee some offensive success. But two of the homers were solo, and the other was a two-run shot. The power was there; the base runners were not. Justin Upton’s two-run homer in the top of the fifth tied the game at 4-4, briefly giving the Diamondbacks some hope.
But when Hudson left the game in the bottom of the sixth, there was a runner on second with one out. Brad Ziegler came in, allowed a balk, committed an error, walked two, and gave up three singles. He came in when the game was tied, 4-4. He left with the Brewers holding a 9-4 lead. Ouch.
If you were looking for a Zack Greinke game from 2011 to put in a Zack Greinke time capsule, this game would do just fine. He struck out more than a batter per inning (great!) without walking anyone (fantastic!) while giving up a bunch of homers and runs (oh, no!) as the Brewers offense bludgeoned the opposition (phew!). Greinke went five innings before being replaced by Takashi Saito, striking out seven.
It’s not impossible to come back from an 0-2 deficit; it’s just improbable. Really, really improbable. The Diamondbacks will have to win both games at Chase Field and then take the final game at Miller Park if they want to advance past the NLDS. After 162 games, things can fall apart pretty danged quickly in the Division Series.
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