Arizona Rookies Keep Milwaukee Series Alive

The Arizona Diamondbacks can thank a pair of rookies for saving their season on Tuesday, as they routed the Milwaukee Brewers 8-1 to stave off elimination and climb back into their National League divisional playoff series.

Rookie first baseman Paul Goldschmidt launched a game-breaking grand-slam home run in the fifth, while first-year pitcher Josh Collmenter allowed just one run over seven innings to help Arizona trim their best-of-five series deficit to 2-1.

Obviously it was an exciting game, I'm glad we could get the win, Goldschmidt told reporters. The 24-year-old has only been with the team since he was called up from the minor leagues on August 1.

It was fun to watch (Collmenter). He's up there throwing strikes having quick innings. It was nice to see.

The Diamondbacks were on the verge of elimination after being dominated during the first two games in Milwaukee, but they got off to a fast start at home, scoring two runs in the first inning, and never looked back.

Arizona added one run in the third and five more in the fifth. Willie Bloomquist finished with three hits and Miguel Montero went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

The run support was more than enough for the young right-hander Collmenter, who surrendered a solo home run to Corey Hart in the third but allowed just two hits and struck out six.

J.J. Putz came on in the ninth to close out the game.

While Collmenter was cruising, the Diamondbacks were picking apart Milwaukee starter Shaun Marcum, who allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings of his loss.

The big blow in the fifth was set up when Marcum intentionally walked Montero to load the bases and bring Goldschmidt to the plate with two outs.

Goldschmidt made Marcum pay with a drive that cleared the right field fence and gave the home side a 7-1 lead. He ended the game with five RBIs.

Milwaukee's bats were kept quiet, including Ryan Braun, who went 0-for-3 after recording three hits in both of the first two contests.

The Brewers compiled the best home record in baseball during the regular season but have been uneven on the road. They will try to reverse their road woes on Wednesday as they aim for their first playoff series win since 1982.