Junior Caminero had the Rays on the board early, then tried to pull them back together when Game 2 got away from them. Tampa Bay’s All-Star third baseman drove in a run during a four-run first inning Saturday night, but Milwaukee erased that deficit and held on for a 5-4 victory at American Family Field, sending the Rays home in a 2-0 World Series hole.
The sharper image from the night came after the sixth inning. Television cameras caught Caminero forcefully addressing teammates in the dugout as Tampa Bay’s lead disappeared. It was a rare public flash of frustration from a player more commonly seen leading celebrations or offering support after a tough moment.
“I was trying to help the team, get everybody’s head up and bring some energy back,” Caminero said through interpreter Kevin Vera.
A first-inning jump fades away
Caminero helped give Tampa Bay its fast start against Brewers starter Logan Henderson. His single to left put the Rays ahead 2-0, and he later came home on Liam Hicks’ two-run homer. The Rays had four runs before Milwaukee recorded much room to breathe.
That was all Tampa Bay could produce. Caminero did not reach base again, and the Rays went scoreless after the opening inning. Milwaukee gradually found its way back as Tampa Bay made costly mistakes in several phases of the game — on the mound, in the field, on the bases and at the plate.
Yandy Díaz struck out against Aaron Ashby to end the 5-4 loss, leaving the Rays with no margin to spare when the series resumes Monday night at Tropicana Field.
Caminero’s message: make the plays
Caminero said his dugout message centered on the defensive lapses that gave the Brewers opportunity after opportunity.
“We needed to make outs,” Caminero said. “At that point, we were not doing our job. Against Milwaukee, if you hand them outs, they’ll use them against you. That is what happened. My message was simple: we have to get outs.”
He also gave Milwaukee credit for the way it has played through the opening two games. Still, Caminero believes the Rays can settle into their own game once they leave the pressure and noise of the first two nights behind.
Some Tampa Bay players are encountering this stage for the first time, he noted, and that can bring a different kind of weight. Caminero said he feels at ease in big-game environments and wants the club to reset rather than carry its frustration into Game 3.
“We have to win and do what we do,” he said. “Turn the page, come in Monday with a fresh mind and win Game 3.”
No room left for another loss
The Rays have dropped the first two games while playing a brand of baseball Caminero said does not represent the club that reached the World Series. Nobody in the clubhouse, he said, wants to repeat the mistakes of the past two days.
“That’s baseball,” Caminero said. “I can promise nobody in this room wants to play the way we’ve played lately. That is not us. But those are the games we played, and this is how they unfolded. It’s unfortunate.”
His answer is not to linger on the result. Tampa Bay can absorb the sting of Saturday night, but it must arrive at home ready to win every remaining game.
“The rest of the way, we have to win,” Caminero said. “Monday is a fresh start. For me, the series starts Monday.”
