In a dramatic Game 2 of the World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays saw their early 4-0 advantage evaporate after ace pitcher Drew Rasmussen could not make it past the fourth inning. The Brewers rallied to win 5-4, keeping the series tied at one game apiece.
Rasmussen’s short outing
Rasmussen, who entered the postseason with three consecutive starts of six innings or more, lasted only 3 2/3 innings this night. He gave up three runs, his briefest start since a 2 1/3‑inning effort against the New York Yankees on July 9.
“They put together good at‑bats,” Rasmussen said after the loss. “Kudos to them. They fouled off some really good pitches. They took some really quality pitches. They just fought, they scrapped and they just put pitches in play.”
Milwaukee’s comeback
The Brewers answered the Rays’ early surge with timely hitting. Rookie Logan Henderson allowed four runs in the first, but Milwaukee’s lineup quickly found its rhythm. After an early single by Jackson Chourio and a follow‑up single by Jake Bauers, William Contreras capitalized on a misplay by first baseman Jonathan Aranda, singling home Chourio. Garrett Mitchell added another RBI single, cutting the deficit to 4‑2.
“There’s a lot of respect there,” Mitchell said. “We know how great of a pitcher he is… It’s about chipping one at‑bat after another, passing it from one guy to the next, because it’s not going to be done in one pitch or one swing. It’s going to be quality at‑bat after quality at‑bat and kind of just trying to get his pitch count up.”
Rasmussen’s struggles and exit
Rasmussen admitted early on that his command was off. “I thought early on my command wasn’t very good,” he said. “I felt like I was falling behind far too often to expect good results.” The fourth inning proved decisive when he walked Cooper Pratt, who later scored on a ground‑out error by first baseman Aranda. A two‑out walk to Bauers on his 89th pitch forced the manager to pull Rasmussen.
Although Tampa Bay still led 4‑3 when he left, the bullpen could not hold the lead. Reliever Ian Seymour allowed a solo home run to Sal Frelick in the sixth, tying the game. The Rays’ offense, which had been silent after the early runs, could not generate the needed run, and the game went to extra innings.
Key moments after Rasmussen’s departure
Milwaukee’s Victor Mesa Jr. delivered a sixth‑inning single that set up a run‑scoring opportunity, though Liam Hicks was thrown out at the plate attempting to score from second. In the ninth, Yandy Díaz struck out, ending the Rays’ chance to retake the lead.
Rays third baseman Junior Caminero expressed frustration in the dugout, saying, “Just trying to create some energy and get some life back into us.” The team will look to regroup as the series shifts back to Tampa Bay.
Looking ahead
Rasmussen, who posted a 16‑5 record with a 2.67 ERA during the regular season, remains confident. “Obviously, we’re excited to head back home,” he said. “It would be really nice to have won today. Our offense, I would say they’re pretty confident when they spot our pitching staff a four‑run lead, that we’re going to go ahead and get the job done.”
The Rays will need to bounce back quickly, as the World Series now moves to Tampa Bay for Game 3, where they will aim to reclaim the momentum and keep their championship hopes alive.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
