Gallardo and Fielder Lead Brewers to Game 1 Victory over Diamondbacks
John Nestor

Milwaukee, WI

Yovani Gallardo pitched eight strong innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks' decision to pitch to Prince Fielder was the wrong one as the Milwaukee Brewers posted a 4-1 victory Saturday in game one of their National League Division Series matchup.

Gallardo continued his late-season dominant form with nine strikeouts in eight innings. Arizona missed a chance to get to him early and Gallardo's only hiccup was an eighth inning home run allowed to Ryan Roberts.

Ryan Braun had three hits and scored a two of runs for the Brewers and he threw out Willie Bloomquist at the plate in the first inning to keep Arizona from taking an early lead.

Gallardo (1-0) settled down and retired 14 of the next 15 batters as Milwaukee took the lead.

Jerry Hairston Jr. drove home Braun with a sacrifice fly in the fourth to make it 1-0. Jonathan Lucroy added an RBI single in the sixth and Fielder put the game out of reach in the seventh.

Braun doubled down the right field line with two outs in the seventh, bringing up Fielder but instead of issuing him an intentional walk, the Diamondbacks let starter Ian Kennedy pitch to him.

That's one decision Arizona manager Kurt Gibson would like back as Fielder homered to right to extend the lead to 4-0.

John Axford struck out one in the ninth for the save.

Game Two is set for Sunday evening in Milwaukee.