Rays Waste Scoring Chances in 3-2 World Series Game 1 Loss to Brewers

The Tampa Bay Rays couldn't start strong, falling 3-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Game 1 of the World Series. 

Here is what you need to know about the contest. 

The issues that haunted Tampa Bay during their losing streaks came back to bite them in Game 1 of the World Series. The team struggled offensively and couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position. 

The team only picked up seven hits and struck out nine times against Brewers' pitching. 

Surprisingly, they did a decent job putting the ball in play against Flame Thrower starter and Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski. The Milwaukee pitcher only recorded three strikeouts in his five innings of work. 

But it was once again the lack of capitalizing on opportunities for Tampa Bay that ultimately handed them the loss in Friday's Fall Classic opener. The team was 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. 

It was about as expected a start you get from a pitcher like Nick Martinez. He allows contact and, unfortunately, in this case, a couple of earned runs, but still, it should have been enough to keep Tampa Bay in the mix if they had found some run support. 

Martinez finished his outing going 5 innings strong, allowing only 5 hits and picking up 5 strikeouts in the outing. He did allow 2 earned runs from the middle of the Brewers' lineup.

Christian Yelich got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI triple that scored Jackson Chourio. Milwaukee's catcher Wilson Contreras picked up an RBI single to bring in Yelich, making it 2-0. 

That was the only damage done by Martinez, as he was replaced in the sixth inning by Steven Matz. Matz would go on to pitch for two innings and give up one run. Ultimately, the game-winning run for the Brewers came when Chourio picked up an RBI single, scoring Cooper Pratt. 

The Rays made one final attempt to make the comeback happen against the Brewers in Game 1. The team loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 9th inning when Liam Hicks hit into what appeared to be a game-ending double play. However, that play was overturned and returned after a replay review, with the runner being safe at second. The game did not last much longer after that, as Brewers reliever Trevor McGill struck out Jonny Deluca with runners in scoring position, ultimately falling in Game 1 to the Brewers. 

It was the Brewers' first win in a World Series since the last time they appeared in 1982, over 16,000 days ago. 

The Tampa Bay Rays have an uphill battle the rest of the way, as 62% of Game 1 winners inside the Fall Classic go on to win the World Series. They will look to even the score in Game 2 with their ace on the mound. 

Drew Rasmussen is set to take the mound for Tampa Bay. He'll take on Milwaukee's Logan Henderson. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for 8 pm Eastern.