Bryse Wilson pitched a strong game in the loss
After allowing 15 runs in two straight games, the Brewers got a strong performance from Bryse Wilson and the bullpen on Monday to limit the Rays to one run. Unfortunately, the offense didn’t back them up, and a late call went against the Brewers as they dropped their third straight.
The only run of the game came in the top of the first inning. The Rays started with the bases loaded after Bryse Wilson hit Yandy Diaz to start the game, then walked two straight runners. A double play recorded the first two outs of the inning, but a run scored on it. Wilson struck out Austin Shenton to end the inning.
From there, both starting pitchers settled in. Neither team managed more than one baserunner in an inning until the ninth. Bryse Wilson had a strong night from there, allowing just the one run in six innings. He allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out three on just 91 pitches. However, Ryan Pepiot of the Rays was better. Pepiot had six shutout innings, allowing just two hits.
Bryan Hudson and Trevor Megill finished out the game for the Brewers. Together, just allowed just two hits and a walk. Hudson struck out three in two innings while Megill struck out one. On the other side, Kevin Kelly and Shawn Armstrong each pitched scoreless innings as well.
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, and the Brewers made it very interesting against Jason Adam of the Rays. Sal Frelick doubled to lead off the inning, then Willy Adames drew a one-out walk. A double steal put both in scoring position. but then it fell apart. Jake Bauers struck out swinging, but strike three got away from catcher Rene Pinto and Sal Frelick easily scored from third. However, the umpires ruled batter interference and called Bauers out, because Bauers’ backswing made contact with Pinto’s helmet. That erased the run and sent Frelick back to third. Manager Pat Murphy was livid, argued the call, and was ejected.
The Brewers’ game-tying run in the bottom of the 9th was erased because Jake Bauers’ bat hit the catcher on his back swing
Pat Murphy was ejected for the first time as a manager pic.twitter.com/DczvL09Rnz
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 30, 2024
The Brewers still had a chance with two outs and ended up loading the bases after Rhys Hoskins was hit by a pitch. However, Blake Perkins struck out swinging to end the game.
As a team, the Brewers had just six baserunners in the game. Sal Frelick, William Contreras, and Joey Ortiz each had a hit. Rhys Hoskins and Willy Adames each drew a walk, and Hoskins also was hit by a pitch.
After the game, crew chief Chris Guccione spoke about the play and the ruling behind it. The umpires let the play finish out before calling it dead, then issued their ruling. Because it was backswing interference, runners can’t advance and Bauers is out. Pat Murphy was arguing that Pinto moved into the path of the bat to catch the ball, but the umpires said that was not the case. Curt Hogg has the full transcript from the interview.
Here is the full transcript of tonight’s pool report with Crew Chief Chris Guccione about the call on Jake Bauers of backswing interference in the ninth inning. pic.twitter.com/vFE1Rr5LpU
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) April 30, 2024
The Brewers will try to break their three-game losing streak tomorrow in game two of the series. Freddy Peralta takes the mound for the Brewers and will face Tyler Alexander of the Rays. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.