ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — First things first: The Rays did what they had to do to win Game 4. Trailing 3-0 in the World Series means you do absolutely everything possible to survive and get to Game 5. You can’t hold anything – or anyone – back because saving a pitcher for a game that never comes is a fool’s mistake.
I’m talking about Nick Martinez, the Rays’ All-Star starter who could get the start in Game 5 of the World Series if necessary. The Rays have had bullpen issues in the ALCS and World Series and they desperately need to keep this game under control from the feisty Brewers offense. Manager Kevin Cash was counting on a great effort from Martinez and the rest of their bullpen.
It turned out to be a big night, as the Rays relievers worked eight 12 innings and allowed just one run on four hits. This was a night of redemption for that group. They had a Game 1 ALCS song, they labored in Game 6 of that series, they played Game 2 of the World Series and were humiliated in Game 3. The powerful and relentless Brewers were held at bay by a struggling group that looked like they had been cooked the night before.
And then the Rays walked it in the 12th inning to win 4-3 and cut the Brewers’ World Series lead to 3-1.
Martinez has been a versatile guy in his career. In the regular season he made 160 starts and 151 appearances in relief. He had many gifts; He also saves eight once in a while. He camped in Japan four times. He did everything.
After throwing 73 pitches in five innings as a starter in Game 1, the Rays needed six outs in this one. He was here on business and he ran a brewery.
“Stoney. Stoney. We’re dangerous,” Martinez said after the game. “We have our backs against the wall…we know what we have to do. We can win four in a row. This team can do it.”
Credit also goes to radio closer Bryan Baker. He had issues with velocity and didn’t pitch more than an inning during the Aug. 17. He worked two scoreless runs in this one. Kevin Kelly, Tyler Wells and Cam Booser also deserve praise for their excellent work. Ian Seymour led home 12 runs, but all the damage he allowed gave his team a shot to come back and win in the bottom of the inning.
“I can’t say enough about Nick Martinez and the contributions he’s made all season long. He came in quietly and pitched two solid innings for us,” Cash said after the game. “And Bryan Baker, those of you who follow us know that we usually hold Baker to one inning. We know we’re going to win this game. His two innings are very helpful.”
“We will rest together after this session and sit down and talk about pitching. Go see who is available. I’m going to say that most of the guys are capable of playing an inning or more in the 5th World Series, but nothing is decided yet.”
Now the vibes are good in this series of clubhouse radios for the first time. To sweep them away.
Was this just relaxation, or an even more gruesome execution? The Brewers are waiting in the wings for Jacob Misiorowski to start Game 5. The Rays have a giant question mark.
Should they turn around and start Martinez on zero days off after he threw 33 pitches in Game 4? Rasmussen drew, the surroundings are pretty good in Game 2 and will be quiet for a while. His numbers on short rest in his career are awful (five runs in seven innings in four starts). Freddy Peralta just pitched Game 3 and Griffin Jax started Game 4.
It’s really shaping up to be a bullpen game and, for all the good things mentioned above, remember how out of the Rays bullpen it was on Tuesday night. The Rays probably got pretty good for Game 5.
Now, to be clear, I am in no way arguing for Cash to fire Martinez. I absolutely had to do it. Too many out of the bullpen alternated with a low level of confidence after what we’ve seen recently. He felt it necessary that the Brewers would crush one of them. Again, you can’t figure out Game 5 if you lose Game 4 and get a sweep. So Cash used Martinez and Baker for a combined four innings and it worked expertly.
Will that be available for Game 5? Perhaps! The Rays are still looking for elimination and everything they need is on the table. I just love the look that will be a noticeable drawback.
The vibes are high in the clubhouse on the Tropicana field, but for how long? Yeah, I’ll call it a delay of execution. Kudos to the Rays for extending the streak, but the Brewers closed things out in Game 5.