The Tampa Bay Rays led 4-0 after one inning of Game 2 of the World Series and still lost. Now they go home down 0-2 to a Milwaukee Brewers team that keeps finding ways to come back.
Brewers rallied for a 5-4 victory Saturday night, and the FOX crew after the game said the result changed the way they view the series. David Ortiz, who picked the Rays to win the title, said his concern started with this game.
“I’m going to start worrying about Tampa,” Ortiz said. “Tampa has one of the best records after taking a lead in the game. It doesn’t matter if it’s early, in the middle of the game or near the end, they couldn’t hold that lead tonight. They had their ace on the mound (in Drew Rasmussen). They couldn’t keep up with that either.”
Derek Jeter said the Rays’ only answer is to keep scoring. He pointed out that many people around baseball thought Game 2 was over when Tampa Bay scored four times in the first.
“They have to score, score, score, score and score some more. No lead is certain,” Jeter said. “Milwaukee doesn’t stop. So you have to put some runs on the board and no bullet is safe.”
Game 3 will be moved to Tropicana Field on Monday, and Jeter said the Rays’ home ballpark gives them an advantage.
“Tropicana Field is hard to play in, isn’t it? If you’re not used to it, there’s a reason they play so well,” Jeter said. “I didn’t like going there. I didn’t see the ball well. I didn’t hit the ball well there. It needs some adjustments, so that’s their home court advantage.”
Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Jonny DeLuca went two for four with a double, but it wasn’t enough to power the Rays past the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the World Series. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Alex Rodriguez called the loss a “huge blow” but said the Rays have the profile to handle it.
“If anyone can handle it, it’s this Rays team,” Rodriguez said. “Nobody has won more games over the last decade with fewer resources than the Rays, so they’re known for being underdogs and they’re not going to give up. They’re tough and they’re brave.”
Tampa Bay is expected to send Freddy Peralta to the mound in Game 3.
Rodriguez noted that Peralta takes the ball to the ballpark with the best record in the American League. The Rays acquired Peralta from the New York Mets at the trade deadline, and he was named ALCS MVP after going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA against the Cleveland Guardians.
The Brewers traded Peralta to the Mets in January, and FOX’s Kevin Burkhardt said Peralta has a chip on his shoulder against his former team.
Ortiz said the Rays still have things going for them, including their fans and Peralta, but he stressed the urgency.
“They also have Peralta, who has played tremendously in the playoffs,” Ortiz said. “They better get it together and they’ve got to be ready to go because the Brewers, they’re not playing games, man. They’re attacking.”
Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team will use the trip home to reset.
“I know our fans are going to be really loud and excited to see us come back,” Cash said. “We have a very good pitcher, as do they. A lot of faith in this club to respond. They’ve been doing it all season and they’re going to continue to do it.”
