Tampa Bay Rays lose World Series to Milwaukee in 4-1 defeat
The 98-win season ended with a 4-1 loss in Game 5, capping a run that began with 80-to-1 odds against a championship.
By Meera Fletcher ·
The Tampa Bay Rays lost 4-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The loss ended the Rays' bid for a World Series title and concluded a 98-win season. The Brewers secured the franchise's first World Series championship.
Centerfielder Jonny DeLuca said the team is bummed by the loss but grateful for the journey. He noted that the group refused to listen to outside noise. DeLuca described the season as a fun ride and said he feels privileged to have been part of it. The players left the clubhouse in muted conversation after the final out.
The Rays entered the postseason as 80-to-1 longshots to win the World Series. According to sportsoddshistory.com, a victory would have been the most improbable since the Minnesota Twins in 1991. Principal owner Patrick Zalupski called the season incredible and a storybook run. He said he and co-owner Ken Babby could not have imagined the outcome at the start of the year.
Manager Kevin Cash praised the character of the group after a 4-3, 12-inning comeback win in Game 4. That game featured 15 pitchers and 367 pitches over nearly 4.5 hours. Closer Bryan Baker described the team as one of the closest-knit groups he has been part of. He predicted sadness will set in when players stop showing up to the park together.
Pitcher Freddy Peralta called the group very special and full of great people. He said the team will maintain contact via FaceTime during the offseason. Victor Mesa Jr. was noted for cutting down a runner at third base with a throw from deep rightfield. Nick Martinez transformed the clubhouse with his wisdom and selflessness.
The Rays began the year with a 2-5 record. They lost starting pitchers Ryan Pepiot, Steven Matz, and Shane McClanahan during the season. Despite those setbacks, they swept the New York Yankees in the Division Series. They then defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the League Championship Series by coming from behind twice.
Chandler Simpson said every game was its own little story. He noted that the team was not viewed as one of the best in the American League. Simpson said overcoming that perception to reach the World Series means a lot to the group. The season ended with the lights at Tropicana Field turning off.
Source: Tampa Bay Newspapers
