Brewers rout Rays 10-1 in World Series Game 3 behind Robert Gasser and a record eight-run fifth, one win from first title

The Milwaukee Brewers are one win from the first World Series title in franchise history. They crushed the Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 in Game 3 on Monday night at Tropicana Field, riding six one-hit innings from Robert Gasser and an eight-run fifth inning that had never been matched in a World Series.

Milwaukee leads the best-of-seven series 3-0. Game 4 is Tuesday night in St. Petersburg.

World Series Game 3 at a glance

Figures from MLB.com.

The record eight-run fifth

Milwaukee led 2-0 after RBI singles from Christian Yelich and William Contreras off former Brewer Freddy Peralta. Then came the fifth.

With two on and two out, Contreras hit a grounder to third baseman Junior Caminero, who threw to second for what was called an inning-ending force. The Brewers challenged, the call was overturned and the bases were loaded, MLB.com reported. Yelich had taken an extended lead to beat the throw.

From there, the Brewers kept hitting. Brice Turang lined a two-run single off reliever Cam Booser. Garrett Mitchell, Cooper Pratt and Sal Frelick added run-scoring hits, and David Hamilton and Chourio drove in more off Cole Sulser.

MLB.com said the inning set two World Series firsts:

• Seven straight hits in a World Series game
• Eight two-out runs in a single World Series inning

They did it without a home run. Every Brewers starter reached base and eight of nine drove in a run.

“It’s definitely deflating,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “How could it not be?”

Robert Gasser’s gem

Gasser faced the minimum over six scoreless innings. The only hit was a leadoff single by Yandy Díaz, MLB.com reported. The Associated Press compared the outing to Sandy Koufax, calling it a World Series gem unlike any by a left-hander since the Dodgers great.

The Rays’ only run came in the ninth, when Díaz doubled against Brandon Woodruff, who was pitching for the first time in nearly four months.

Chourio’s big night

Jackson Chourio had four hits by the end of the fifth, one shy of the World Series single-game record shared by Paul Molitor and Albert Pujols. “I knew that us winning this game today, it was a big one,” Chourio said.

Contreras is hitting .419 in 11 postseason games, per MLB.com.

Brewers fans took over the Trop

Thousands of Milwaukee fans made the trip, and a “Let’s go, Brewers” chant broke out in the eighth inning. “That’s a statement about how much this team has captured the hearts of the people from Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin,” manager Pat Murphy said.

What history says about a 3-0 lead

According to MLB.com:

• Teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series have won 42 of 43 times.
• Only the 2004 Red Sox, in the ALCS, came back from 0-3 to win.
• In the World Series, no team down 3-0 has forced a Game 6.

The Brewers have won eight straight postseason games, tying a record. A Game 4 win would make them the first team to sweep a best-of-seven LCS and the World Series back to back, after they swept the Dodgers in the NLCS.

World Series Game 4: time and pitchers

Game 4 is set for Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field. Griffin Jax starts for Tampa Bay, with Nick Martinez expected to be available behind him, MLB.com reported. “It’s not a secret. We’re in a tough spot,” Jax said. Milwaukee’s bullpen is fully rested.

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