2011 NLCS Game 5 David Freese Three-Homer Performance
David Freese's three-homer explosion saved the Cardinals from elimination in a legendary NLCS comeback.
The 2011 National League Championship Series Game 5 stands as one of the most miraculous individual performances in baseball history, defined by David Freese's unprecedented three-home run night. Facing elimination against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals' third baseman delivered a heroics that not only saved his team from the brink but also propelled them to their first World Series appearance since 2006.
- Player
- David Freese
- Event
- 2011 NLCS Game 5
- Team
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Opponent
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Key Achievement
- Three Home Runs in a Single Postseason Game
- Result
- Cardinals Force Game 6 and Advance to World Series
Lore & Background
The narrative of this game is inseparable from the broader context of the 2011 postseason, where the Cardinals would go on to win the World Series against the Texas Rangers. Freese's three home runs in Game 5 provided the emotional and tactical foundation for that eventual championship run. It remains a touchstone for fans, often cited alongside Bob Gibson's pitching or Lou Brock's stealing as one of the definitive moments of franchise history.
In Their Own Story
The air inside Busch Stadium was thick with humidity and anxiety as the seventh inning approached. David Freese stepped into the batter's box, the weight of a city on his shoulders, staring down Yovani Gallardo. The stadium fell silent, save for the rhythmic thud of the bat against the ground. As the pitch crossed the plate, time seemed to suspend; the crack of the wood echoed louder than any cheer that had come before. He watched the ball arc high into the night sky, a solitary white speck against the dark St. Louis clouds, knowing with absolute certainty that this was the moment everything would change.
Reader's Guide
The Cardinals entered Game 5 down three games to two in the best-of-seven series, facing immediate elimination against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was tightly contested until the bottom of the seventh inning when David Freese stepped up to bat with runners on base. Freese hit his first home run off pitcher Yovani Gallardo, giving St. Louis a lead. Later in the same inning, he launched a second shot into the left-field seats, extending the advantage and silencing the visiting Brewers fans. The momentum was undeniable as Freese returned to the plate with two outs. With the bases loaded or runners in scoring position depending on the specific at-bat sequence, Freese delivered his third home run of the night, capping off a historic offensive explosion. This performance secured an 8-2 victory for the Cardinals, forcing a decisive Game 6 and marking one of the most memorable individual nights in postseason history.
Did You Know?
- David Freese became only the second player in MLB history to hit three home runs in a single postseason game.
- Freese's performance included hits off both starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo and reliever Jeff Suppan.
- The Cardinals went on to win Game 6 and eventually the 2011 World Series, with Freese named MVP of both series.
- This game is often referred to as 'Freese Day' by St. Louis fans due to its pivotal role in their championship run.