In 71 PAs before today by current Brewers against Ian Kennedy, the only home run came from Prince Fielder. But that HR came in their very first encounter; in the next 10 times they faced off, Kennedy got 6 Ks while allowing two hits.

Was that head-to-head record a factor in Kirk Gibson's decision to let Kennedy pitch to Prince Fielder in the 7th, after Ryan Braun's 2-out double?

Or maybe he was swayed by Kennedy's outstanding numbers in the 7th and 8th inning this year. Arizona's ace allowed a .148 BA (16-108) and just 2 runs in 31 IP in the 7th & 8th.

Maybe Gibson was just trying to nurse him through one more out, knowing his spot was due up in the top of the 8th.

Whatever the reason, Kennedy did pitch to Fielder, though briefly. After strike one, Prince drove Kennedy's 111th pitch, a down-and-in breaking ball that wasn't enough of either, and parked it in the RF seats for a 4-0 lead. IPK's pitch count would rise no higher.

It may have been a moot point, given the performance of Yovani Gallardo. He blanked the D-backs on 3 hits until a leadoff HR in the 8th, but he struck out the next 3 men to finish with 9 Ks against 1 walk. John Axford pitched a perfect 9th to close out the 4-1 win.

It was a far cry from Gallardo's other postseason start. In 2008, because of Milwaukee's frantic final week, Gallardo got the opening assignment against the Phillies, despite missing most of the season with injury and making just 1 return appearance before the playoffs. He lasted just 4 innings, walking 5; his control faltered in the 3rd when he followed a 2-out IBB with 2 more walks to force in the 3rd run of the inning.

But Gallardo's control has improved since then, his walk rate falling in even steps from 4.6 BB/9 to 3.6 last year and 2.6 this season. He walked just 16 in his last 15 starts this year, and carried that command right into Game 1.

Fielder, who went just 1-14 in his only prior postseason series, also had a double that helped set up Milwaukee's first run. Braun went 3-4 with 2 runs, and saved a run in the 1st with an accurate throw to the plate that cut down Willie Bloomquist.

Flashback: If Gibson didn't think about the 1984 World Series when Fielder stepped to bat in the 7th, he might have done so afterward. In the clinching 5th game of the '84 Classic, Gibson came up in the 8th against Goose Gossage with men on 3rd and 2nd with 1 out, the Tigers ahead by 1, and lumbering Lance Parrish on deck.

Although he'd been lucky to get a loud foul in his prior Goose encounters (1 bunt single and 7 Ks in 11 trips), '84 was Gibby's long-awaited breakout year, and after what he'd done in the postseason so far -- 10 for 29, 2 HRs including one in that game -- it seemed logical that the Padres would put him on and go for the DP against Parrish.

From the dugout, Sparky Anderson flashed 4 fingers, teasing the gung-ho Gibson that he wouldn't get a chance for revenge on Gossage. Dick Williams visited his closer, advising the free pass. But Gossage was adamant: "I can get him out."

When it was clear that no wide ones were coming, Sparky taunted his manchild: "He doesn't respect you! He thinks you can't hit him!" Gibson answered with a show of confidence: he flashed 5 fingers twice, offering Sparky a $10 bet: "I'm taking him deep." And then he blasted Gossage's fastball into the upper deck, sealing the win and the championship.

Four years would pass before Gibson faced Gossage again, once more with men on 3rd and 2nd. The Goose put him on. What will Gibson do with Fielder the next time this situation arises?

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