Brewers score eight two-out runs in fifth to lead 3-0

The Milwaukee Brewers took a 3-0 lead in the World Series after a 10-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Milwaukee’s offense exploded in the fifth inning, where the team scored eight runs, all with two outs. This marked the first time in World Series history that a team has recorded eight two-out runs in a single inning. The Brewers also set a postseason record by hitting seven consecutive balls in that inning.

Robert Gasser, a rookie left-handed pitcher, delivered a dominant performance on the mound. He threw one-hit ball and faced the minimum 18 batters through six innings. Gasser allowed only a line-drive single to Yandy Diaz in the first inning before retiring 14 straight batters. He became the first starter to face the minimum through six innings of a World Series game since Curt Schilling in 2001. He is also the first left-hander to achieve this feat since Sandy Koufax in 1965.

Jackson Chourio went 4 for 5 with a double and a stolen base, while Brice Turang and William Contreras each went 3 for 5. Turang’s two-run single started the fifth-inning rally. Chourio stole second base with two outs, and manager Pat Murphy noted that Chourio has collected eight hits in three Series games. Turang’s single off the glove of shortstop Taylor Walls helped load the bases for a subsequent 8-0 lead.

Tampa Bay starter Freddy Peralta gave up five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team made uncharacteristic mistakes on the bases and defense during the first two games in Milwaukee. The Rays, who led the American League with 98 wins in the regular season, now face elimination in Game 4.

The Brewers, who led the majors with 103 wins, have won eight straight postseason games, tying the single-postseason record. A win in Game 4 on Tuesday at Tropicana Field would make them the first team to sweep the League Championship Series and the World Series since the 1976 Cincinnati Reds. The franchise has never won a World Series, having lost in a seven-game series in 1982.

Brandon Woodruff pitched the ninth inning for Milwaukee, allowing one run and two hits in his first appearance in three and a half months. He returned to the mound after recovering from a shoulder injury. Griffin Jax is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay in the final game of the series.