The Tampa Bay Rays led 4-0 after one inning of Game 2 of the World Series and still lost. Now they head home down 0-2 to a Milwaukee Brewers team that keeps finding ways to come back.
The Brewers rallied for a 5-4 win Saturday night, and the FOX postgame crew said the result changed how they view the series. David Ortiz, who picked the Rays to win the title, said his concern started with this game.
“I’m gonna start worrying about Tampa,” Ortiz said. “Tampa has one of the best records once they take the lead in the game. Doesn’t matter if it’s at the beginning, in the middle of the game or towards the end, they couldn’t keep up that lead tonight. They had their ace on the mound [in Drew Rasmussen]. They could not catch up.
Derek Jeter said the radio’s only answer is to keep scoring. It shows that many people around baseball thought Game 2 was ahead when Tampa Bay scored four times in the first.
“They came down to score, score, score, score, score more. No lead is safe,” Jeter said. “Milwaukee doesn’t stop. You’ve got some runs on the board, and no lead is safe.”
Game 3 shifts to Tropicana Field on Monday, and Jeter said the Rays’ home ballpark gives them the edge.
“The Tropicana field is tough to play on, right? If you’re not used to it, that’s why they play so well,” Jeter said. “I don’t like going there. I didn’t see the ball well. I didn’t hit the ball well there. It takes some adjusting so that their home field is comfortable.”
Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Jonny DeLuca went two for four with a double, but it wasn’t enough to send the Rays into Game 2 of the World Series against Brazil in Milwaukee. (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 act, it’s the Rays team,” Rodriguez said. “No one has won more games over the last decade with fewer resources than the Rays, so they’re known to be dogs, and they don’t give up. They’re tough and they’re gritty.”
Tampa Bay is expected to send Freddy Peralta to the mound in Game 3.
Rodriguez noted that Peralta caught the ball in the field for the best record in the American League. The Rays acquired Peralta from the New York Mets in a trade, and he was named ALCS MVP after going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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 radio still has things to come for them, including their fans and Peralta, but they stressed the urgency.
“Peralta” also, who had placed incredibly in the playoffs, “Ortiz” said. “They better compose themselves, and I’ve got them ready to go, because the Brewers don’t play, man. They attack.”
Radios manager Kevin Cash said the team will use the trip home to reset.
“I know our fans are going to be really great and excited to be back,” Cash said. “We got a really good pitcher, as they do. A lot of confidence in this team to answer. I’ve done it all season long, and I’ll continue to do it.”