ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Drew Rasmussen started for Tampa Bay on three days' rest in Game 5 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, leaving with a 1-0 deficit after pitching four innings.
A 31-year-old right-hander, Rasmussen retired his first four batters before Brice Turang doubled to left-center on a flat cutter. Sal Frelick was hit by a pitch and rookie Cooper Pratt drove a low cutter over leaping second baseman
Ben Williamson and into center field for an RBI single.
Those were the only hits allowed by Rasmussen, who struck out four and walked none in a 48-pitch outing. Kevin Kelly relieved to start the fifth and allowed another run, leaving the Rays down 2-0.
Rasmussen threw 89 pitches over 3 2/3 innings in Game 2 on Saturday, getting a no-decision as Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 victory and a 2-0 Series lead.
“Called Ras right after he’d left the ballpark, and he was 100% on board wanting the ball,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday afternoon. “He held out from throwing a bullpen yesterday with this possibly in the back of his mind that he’s going to go out and prepare. I think Ras, knowing him, he’s pretty motivated to get back out there and give us what he can. He wasn’t satisfied with how maybe Game 2 went.”
Rasmussen has had three major elbow operations in his career, including Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017 and an internal brace procedure in 2023. The two-time All-Star was 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA in the regular season, including 9-3 in 15 starts at home.
Rasmussen served as an opener for the Rays in 2024 and made short starts on two days' rest after relief appearances.
Jacob Misiorowski started on four days' rest for the Brewers, who had a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after wasting a 12th-inning lead in a 4-3 loss Tuesday.
Tampa Bay used seven pitchers Tuesday: starter Griffin Jax along with relievers Kevin Kelly, Game 1 starter Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser and Ian Seymour.
Rays third baseman Junior Caminero was in the lineup, batting third, after leaving Tuesday night's game for a pinch runner in the 12th inning.
Caminero limped, favoring his left foot, after he reached leading off the 12th on an error. He went from first to third on Liam Hicks' single, then was replaced.
“He’s been dealing with some lower-extremity injuries, but there’s a lot of guys that are nicked up right now playing through a lot,” Cash said. "Know that Cammy will be ready to go today."
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