An unsung October hero nearly led the Milwaukee Brewers to their first World Series title on Tuesday night. The Brewers fell short of completing a sweep, losing 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays in a 12-inning thriller. Aaron Ashby helped keep the game tied late at Tropicana Field and made history in the process.
Entering a 2-2 game in the ninth inning, Ashby retired seven straight batters over 31 pitches. The left-handed reliever set an MLB record by throwing 18 consecutive scoreless innings this postseason. Ashby pitched the 16 straight shutout frames Andrew Miller tossed for Cleveland in 2016.
Miller has enjoyed watching Ashby break his benchmark as a multi-inning fireman. "It’s been a lot of fun to watch,” Miller told The Athletic's Johnny Flores Jr. "I think, obviously, he’s about as locked in as you can possibly be. … I selfishly enjoy watching middle relievers be, like, a glue guy, to really have the whole team lean on them.
But he’s just a dominant force right now, and it’s fun to watch (Brewers manager) Pat Murphy let him go, and him back it up." Ashby has recorded more than three outs in all but one of his nine postseason playoff appearances. The 28-year-old has recorded three saves, two holds, and a win while allowing just five hits and three walks. Murphy has leaned heavily on Ashby throughout the World Series.
In three appearances, Ashby has limited the Rays to one hit over 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts. However, Tuesday marked the first time Ashby pitched in a loss this postseason. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th, but the Rays responded with two runs off Shane Drohan to force Game 5.
"It’s one of those cool things I guess," Ashby said of his record, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "But more so, that loss stings." Murphy must now determine whether Ashby is available to extend his streak when the Brewers take another swing at winning the World Series on Wednesday.
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