MILWAUKEE, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Prince Fielder and Yuniesky Betancourt homered during a fifth-run rally Sunday, handing Milwaukee a 9-6 win over St. Louis in the NL Championship series opener.
The Brewers had spotted the Cardinals a 6-3 lead before erupting for six runs in the fifth, taking the initial lead in the best-of-seven series to decide the National League champion.
Ryan Braun chipped in a two-run shot as the Brewers made their first appearance in a championship series since 1982 when they beat the California Angels for the American League title.
Milwaukee went on to lose to St. Louis in the World Series that year.
Starter Zack Greinke (1-0) was roughed up for six runs on eight hits over six-plus innings.
The Cardinals' Jaime Garcia (0-2) absorbed the loss, yielding six runs on six hits over four-plus innings.
David Freese launched a three-run homer for the Cardinals, who got an RBI apiece from Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday.
