yardbarker
MILWAUKEE -- In the opening game of the World Series on Friday night, the Milwaukee Brewers held off the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2, propelled by Jacob Misiorowski's five gritty innings and closer Trevor Megill's escape from a ninth-inning threat.
Misiorowski (1-0) surrendered just one run on four hits over five frames, striking out three and walking one on 78 pitches. He set the tone immediately, firing a 103.5 mph fastball to start the game -- the fastest pitch ever recorded in World Series history.
Milwaukee, appearing in just its second World Series and first since a seven-game loss in 1982, jumped on Rays starter Nick Martinez for two runs in the first inning. Jackson Chourio singled on the first pitch and scored on Christian Yelich's one-out triple that eluded right fielder Jonny DeLuca's diving attempt in right-center. William Contreras followed with an RBI single to left.
The Brewers extended their lead to 3-1 in the seventh. Steven Matz walked Cooper Pratt, who moved up on a groundout and scored on Chourio's two-out single down the right-field line off Kevin Kelly.
Tampa Bay got a run back in the fourth. Jonathan Aranda drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third when center fielder Garrett Mitchell misplayed Junior Caminero's 112.7 mph drive into a double. Aranda then scored on Liam Hicks' groundout.
In the ninth, Megill took over and immediately found trouble, yielding consecutive one-out singles to Aranda and Chandler Simpson. Pinch runner Jorge Mateo and Simpson executed a double steal, and Caminero walked to load the bases.
Hicks appeared to ground into a game-ending double play, but a video review determined that shortstop Cooper Pratt was pulled off second base on the throw from second baseman Brice Turang. Hicks was out on the fielder's choice as Mateo scored to cut the deficit to 3-2, leaving runners on second and third. Megill then struck out DeLuca to secure his fifth save in as many postseason opportunities.
Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined for three scoreless innings of relief, striking out five.
Martinez (1-1) started in place of ace Drew Rasmussen, who was pushed back to Game 2 for an extra day of rest. Martinez allowed two runs on five hits in five innings, striking out five and walking none.
Key Analysis
Misiorowski's historic first pitch set the tone for a Brewers pitching staff that kept the Rays off balance all night. Megill's ability to escape a bases-loaded jam in the ninth underscored Milwaukee's resilience, while Tampa Bay's late rally fell just short. The decision to start Martinez over Rasmussen may be scrutinized, but the Rays remain confident with their ace ready for Game 2.
Originally reported by yardbarker.