Rays Bullpen Steadies in 12-Inning Walk-Off to Avoid World Series Sweep

The Tampa Bay Rays stayed alive in the World Series on Tuesday night, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The walk-off win cut the Brewers' series lead to 3-1 and denied them a sweep.

With the Rays down 3-0, manager Kevin Cash had little choice but to use every available arm. Tampa Bay's relievers covered eight of the 12 innings and allowed one run on four hits, a notable turnaround for a group that had struggled badly. The bullpen blew Game 1 of the ALCS, had trouble in Game 6 of that series, blew Game 2 of the World Series and was hit hard again in Game 3.

All-Star Nick Martinez, who had been lined up to start a Game 5 if one was needed, was pressed into relief work and recorded six outs. He threw 33 pitches. Martinez has made 160 starts and 151 relief appearances in the regular season, and once saved eight games in a single year. He also spent four seasons pitching in Japan. In Game 1 of this series he threw 73 pitches over five innings as the starter.

"Gritty. Gritty. We're dangerous," Martinez said. "We have our backs against the wall, we know what we have to do. We can win four in a row. This team is capable of doing that."

Closer Bryan Baker also played a key role. He has dealt with velocity issues and had not pitched more than an inning at a time since Aug. 17, but he worked two scoreless innings. Kevin Kelly, Tyler Wells and Cam Booser also delivered scoreless outings. Ian Seymour allowed a go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th, the only damage against him, and the Rays answered in the bottom half to win it.

Cash praised Martinez for coming in on short rest and giving the team two solid innings. He said the club usually limits Baker to one inning, but the situation demanded more. "We knew we have to win this game. His two innings were very helpful," Cash said. He added that the staff would meet to discuss pitching and check who is available, and that nothing had been decided for Game 5.

That decision looks difficult. Milwaukee plans to start Jacob Misiorowski in Game 5. Tampa Bay's options are limited: Martinez would have to start without any rest after Tuesday's workload, Drew Rasmussen was hit hard in Game 2 and has allowed five runs in seven innings across four career starts on short rest, Freddy Peralta pitched Game 3 and Griffin Jax started Game 4. A bullpen game appears likely.

For the first time in the series, the mood in the Rays' clubhouse was upbeat after the win. Whether Tampa Bay can sustain it will be tested when the club again faces elimination in Game 5.