Rasmussen returns to mound for Rays in high-stakes Game 5
The Tampa Bay ace took the ball on short rest against Milwaukee, pitching four innings in a best-of-seven series where the home team trails 3-1.
By Petra Murphy ·
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash called up Drew Rasmussen immediately after the pitcher left the ballpark, knowing the right-hander wanted the ball. Rasmussen started Game 5 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night on three days of rest. He left the mound in the fourth inning with the Rays trailing 1-0. The 31-year-old veteran struck out four batters and walked none in a 48-pitch outing.
The series reached this point after a tense conclusion to Game 4 on Tuesday. Tampa Bay squandered a 12th-inning lead in a 4-3 loss, allowing Milwaukee to build a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven contest. The Rays used seven pitchers in that game, including starter Griffin Jax and relievers Kevin Kelly, Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser, and Ian Seymour. This depth test set the stage for the short-rest decision in Game 5.
Rasmussen had thrown 89 pitches over three and two-thirds innings in Game 2 on Saturday. He received a no-decision as Milwaukee rallied for a 5-4 victory, which extended their series lead to 2-0 at the time. Cash noted that Rasmussen held out from throwing a bullpen session the day before Game 5, preparing specifically for this possibility. The manager said Rasmussen was 100 percent on board with the plan and motivated to give the team what he could.
Cash pointed to Rasmussen's dissatisfaction with his previous start as a driving factor for the decision. The two-time All-Star has undergone three major elbow operations in his career, including Tommy John surgeries in 2016 and 2017 and an internal brace procedure in 2023. He went 16-5 with a 2.67 earned average during the regular season. His home record stood at 9-3 in 15 starts.
The Brewers countered with Jacob Misiorowski, who started on four days of rest. In the fourth inning, 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 for an RBI single into center field. Those were the only hits Rasmussen allowed. Kevin Kelly entered to start the fifth inning and allowed another run, leaving the Rays down 2-0.
Third baseman Junior Caminero returned to the lineup, batting third, after leaving Tuesday's game in the 12th inning. He limped and favored his left foot after reaching on an error and advancing to third on Liam Hicks' single. Cash said Caminero has been dealing with lower-extremity injuries but will be ready to go.
The Rays now face a two-run deficit with their starting pitcher having used a substantial portion of his pitch count. The series continues with the next game scheduled for Thursday night.
