Brewers beat Rays 3-2 in World Series opener

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in the World Series opener in Milwaukee, according to reports published on 24 October. Jacob Misiorowski secured the win, giving up four hits and a single run in five innings, before Trevor Megill protected the advantage in the ninth.¹²

A finish extended by review

Tampa Bay entered its ninth-inning comeback attempt trailing 3-1, according to The Guardian. The newspaper reported that Liam Hicks then hit a ground ball that appeared to produce a double play and end the game, only for video review to reverse that ruling.¹

The review found that Milwaukee shortstop Cooper Pratt’s right foot was off the bag, The Guardian reported. The reversal left the Brewers needing another out rather than able to treat the initial decision as the end of their opening-game victory.¹

Megill eventually struck out Jonny DeLuca with runners at second and third to secure the 3-2 result, according to The Guardian. The Japan Times also reported that the Milwaukee closer finished with the potential tying run still at third base.¹²

Christian Yelich described the response required after the apparent finish was overturned. “You just have to lock it back in,” he said, according to The Guardian. Misiorowski also acknowledged his initial reading of the play: “I thought Coop had him, and obviously I was wrong.”¹

Early runs and a seventh-inning addition

Milwaukee scored twice in the first inning against Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez, The Japan Times reported. According to The Guardian, Yelich supplied a run-scoring triple before William Contreras singled him home. Contreras finished with two hits and also threw out two runners attempting to steal.¹²

Misiorowski kept Tampa Bay to one run through his five innings. The Guardian reported that he delivered a 103.5mph pitch to Yandy Díaz, describing it as the fastest pitch in World Series history. Martinez allowed two runs and struck out five over five innings, the newspaper said.¹²

Jackson Chourio’s seventh-inning RBI single put Milwaukee ahead 3-1, according to The Japan Times. That third run remained the difference after Tampa Bay’s ninth-inning attempt to recover. The result gave the Brewers a one-game series advantage, the newspaper reported.¹²

The Japan Times reported that Milwaukee’s only previous World Series appearance ended in a seven-game defeat in 1982. Game 2 of this best-of-seven series was scheduled for 24 October in Milwaukee at 8pm EDT, according to The Guardian.¹²