Rays Bullpen Forces Tied Series With 12-Inning Win Over Brewers

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

The win stopped the Brewers' momentum and reduced their series lead to 3-1. The game ended with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 12th inning. This result kept the Rays alive in the World Series after falling behind 3-0.

Manager Kevin Cash relied on his pitching staff to cover the majority of the game. Tampa Bay's relievers threw eight of the twelve innings. They allowed only one run on four hits. This performance marked a sharp contrast to recent games. The bullpen had blown saves in Game 1 and Game 6 of the ALCS, as well as Game 2 and Game 3 of the World Series.

All-Star Nick Martinez pitched out of the bullpen. He recorded six outs on 33 pitches. Martinez had been slated to start Game 5 if necessary. He threw 73 pitches over five innings when he started Game 1. He has 160 career starts and 151 relief appearances. He also spent four seasons pitching in Japan.

Closer Bryan Baker worked two scoreless innings. He had not thrown more than one inning since August 17 due to velocity issues. Kevin Kelly, Tyler Wells, and Cam Booser also pitched without allowing runs. Ian Seymour gave up a go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th. The Rays scored in the bottom of that inning to take the victory.

Martinez described the team's effort as gritty. "We have our backs against the wall, we know what we have to do," he said. "We can win four in a row. This team is capable of doing that." Cash noted that Baker usually pitches only one inning. "We knew we have to win this game. His two innings were very helpful," Cash said.

The Rays will face elimination pressure in Game 5. Milwaukee will start Jacob Misiorowski. Tampa Bay has limited options for its starting pitcher. Martinez would have no rest. Drew Rasmussen has allowed five runs in seven innings across four career short-rest starts. Freddy Peralta started Game 3, and Griffin Jax started Game 4. A bullpen game appears likely as the staff meets to decide on a rotation.