The Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen unraveled in spectacular fashion during an 8-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, turning what had been a competitive spring training contest into a lopsided defeat. Drew Rasmussen delivered five solid innings for the Rays, but Griffin Jax's complete meltdown in the eighth inning opened the floodgates for Milwaukee's offensive explosion at American Family Field.
Rasmussen Shows Regular Season Form
Drew Rasmussen reminded everyone why he's penciled in as a key rotation piece, carving up Brewers hitters through five innings of work. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one earned run while striking out eight batters and walking only one. Rasmussen's command looked sharp, and his slider was generating swings and misses—exactly what the Rays need to see from him as April approaches.
"That's the Drew we know," one could imagine pitching coach Kyle Snyder saying after watching Rasmussen's crisp performance. The veteran looked completely in control until turning the ball over to the bullpen with a manageable deficit.
Díaz Provides Offensive Spark
Yandy Díaz continued his strong spring with a two-run homer, accounting for both Rays runs on the afternoon. The first baseman went 1-for-4 but made his lone hit count, launching a ball over the fence to keep Tampa Bay within striking distance. Díaz's power stroke has been a consistent bright spot throughout camp.
Chandler Simpson added a pair of hits in three at-bats, showing the kind of contact skills that make him an intriguing depth piece. Simpson's ability to put the bat on the ball consistently could earn him a longer look as roster decisions loom.
Eighth Inning Disaster Changes Everything
The game's turning point came in the eighth inning when Griffin Jax took the mound and promptly imploded. Jax failed to record a single out while allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk. The right-hander looked completely lost, unable to find the strike zone consistently and getting hit hard when he did.
Mason Englert came on to clean up Jax's mess but wasn't much better, surrendering another run on two hits in his one inning of work. What had been a 3-2 game suddenly became a rout, with Milwaukee scoring five runs over the final two frames.
Brewers Take Advantage
Milwaukee's offense was paced by Brice Turang, who launched a two-run homer and finished 1-for-2. Christian Yelich collected two hits and two RBIs in four at-bats, while Garrett Mitchell matched Yelich's production with a 2-for-4 performance that included two RBIs.
Jacob Misiorowski earned the win for Milwaukee, working six innings and striking out seven while allowing just four hits and two earned runs. The Brewers' pitching staff looked sharp throughout, with relievers Grant Anderson, Aaron Ashby, and DL Hall combining for three scoreless innings to close out the victory.
What's Next for Tampa Bay
While spring training results don't count in the standings, performances like Jax's are concerning with the regular season approaching. The Rays need reliable bullpen depth, and outings like Tuesday's don't inspire confidence. Ian Seymour provided a bright spot with two scoreless innings, striking out two while allowing just one hit.
The positive takeaway remains Rasmussen's strong showing. If he can maintain that level of performance during the regular season, the Rays' rotation will be in good shape. But the bullpen questions that plagued Tampa Bay last season clearly haven't been resolved yet.
The Rays will look to bounce back as spring training continues, with roster decisions still to be made and regular season preparation ongoing. Games like these serve as valuable learning experiences, even if the final score stings.
