[Nick Soulis]

Series #193



2011 Arizona Diamondbacks
Record: 94-68
Finish: Lost in NLDS
Manager: Kirk Gibson
Ball Park: Chase Field
WAR Leader: Juston Upton (5.5)
Franchise Record: 2-1
2011 Season Record: 2-4
Hall of Famers: 0
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/2011.shtml

2011 Kansas City Royals
Record: 71-91
Finish: 4th in AL Central
Manager: Ned Yost
Ballpark: Kauffman Stadium
WAR Leader: Alex Gordon (7.3)
Franchise Record: 5-5
2011 Season Record: 2-4
Hall of Famers: 0
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/2011.shtml
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Making It Look Easy
Dbacks Waltz Past Royals In 2011 Battle



Game 1
At Chase Field
2011 Kansas City Royals 5
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks 7
WP: D. Hudson (1-0) LP: L. Hochevar (0-1) S: JJ Putz (1)
HR: M. Cabrera (1), K. Johnson (1), G. Parra (10
POG: Gerrardo Parra (2-3, 3 RBI, HR, 3B, 2 R, BB)
2011 Diamondbacks Lead Series 1-0

The 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks drew first blood in their best-of-seven Field of Dreams showdown against the 2011 Kansas City Royals, rallying behind Gerardo Parra’s electric night to claim a 7-5 victory at Chase Field. Parra sparked the crowd with a triple in the fourth and later put the game on ice with a thunderous three-run homer in the seventh, part of a five-run outburst that proved decisive. Despite a late Royals surge, including a Melky Cabrera homer and a four-run eighth inning, Arizona’s bullpen—anchored by J.J. Putz—shut the door. Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson struck out nine over 7.2 gritty innings to earn the win, while Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar took the loss after surrendering both of Arizona’s homers. Melky Cabrera led Kansas City’s offense with three hits and three RBIs, but it wasn’t enough to counter Arizona’s timely blasts. With the win, the D-backs go up 1-0 in the series and will look to extend their lead in Game 2 under the clear desert skies.

Game 2
At Chase Park
2011 Kansas City Royals 2
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks 5
WP: I. Kennedy (1-0) LP: B. Chen (0-1) S: JJ Putz (2)
HR: None
POG: Ian Kennedy (8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 12 K, 116 P)
2011 Diamondbacks Lead Series 2-0

Behind a dominant outing from ace Ian Kennedy, the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks took control of their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series against the 2011 Kansas City Royals with a 5-2 victory in Game 2. Kennedy was masterful under the clear desert sky, tossing eight innings of five-hit ball while striking out a playoff-record 12 Royals. Though Kansas City mounted a brief rally in the seventh on a pinch-hit two-run double from Wilson Betemit, Arizona had already done the bulk of its damage — plating three runs in the sixth on doubles by Justin Upton and Miguel Montero, and adding insurance in the seventh with RBI knocks from Ryan Roberts and Gerardo Parra. Bruce Chen struggled through 5.2 innings for the Royals, yielding four earned runs on six hits and three walks. With the win, the Diamondbacks now hold a 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3, which shifts to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Tuesday.

Game 3
At Kauffman Stadium
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks 8
2011 Kansas City Royals 1
WP: J. Collmentor (1-0) LP: J. Francis (0-1)
HR:W. Bloomquist (1)
POG: Josh Collmentor (9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER.. 0 BB. 7 K)
2011 Diamondbacks Lead Series 3-0

On a crisp October night at Kauffman Stadium, the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks moved one step closer to a Field of Dreams series sweep with a commanding 8-1 win over the 2011 Kansas City Royals. Right-hander Josh Collmenter delivered a masterclass on the mound, going the distance with a complete-game five-hitter, allowing just one unearned run and striking out seven. Arizona broke the game open in the third inning with a five-run outburst highlighted by Willie Bloomquist’s two-run homer and Paul Goldschmidt’s clutch two-out double. The D-backs added insurance in the fifth and sixth, while Kansas City never recovered from starter Jeff Francis’ early struggles. Goldschmidt led the charge with three RBIs, while Gerardo Parra and Chris Young each scored twice. The Royals' only spark came from Wilson Betemit’s RBI triple in the third. Arizona’s pitching and timely hitting proved too much once again as they now lead the best-of-seven series 3-0 heading into Game 4.

Game 4
At Kauffman Stadium
2011 Arizona Diamondbacks 4
2011 Kansas City Royals 3
WP: Z. Duke (1-0) LP: K.Davies (0-1) S: JJ Putz (3)
HR: None
POG: Zach Duke (8 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 96 P)

In a tense and emotional Game 4 at a chilly Kauffman Stadium, the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks completed their Field of Dreams sweep over the 2011 Kansas City Royals with a narrow 4-3 victory, clinching the same season series. Arizona relied on a gritty performance from left-hander Zach Duke, who battled through eight innings of three-run ball despite early trouble, earning Player of the Game honors. Kelly Johnson delivered the biggest blows at the plate with a pair of doubles and two RBIs, including a clutch two-run knock in the sixth to erase a 2-1 Kansas City lead. Miguel Montero added an RBI single, and Chris Ransom's sacrifice fly proved decisive. The Royals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first on Wilson Betemit’s two-run single, but their bats were stifled late, managing just one more run. Kansas City starter Kyle Davies was tagged for eight hits and four earned over 5.1 innings. Though the Royals showed heart, Arizona’s cohesive effort on both sides of the ball sealed the series. J.J. Putz slammed the door in the ninth for his third save of the series, and as the final out settled into Paul Goldschmidt’s glove, the Diamondbacks erupted in celebration, ending a magical October run under the stars of the Field of Dreams.

2011 Arizona Diamondbacks Win Series 4 Games to 0

Series MVP:

(.400, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 3 SB, .500 OBP, 1.367 OPS)