Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Rays were inches away numerous times from coming back but fell short

Game 4 of the 2020 World Series was one for the ages. Now we get prepared for Game 5 with a rematch of the pitchers we same in Game 1 of this series, Clayton Kershaw for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tyler Glasnow for the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays are hoping to ride the wave of last night’s amazing comeback and the Dodgers are hoping for a repeat of Game 1.

Let’s see how this one shakes out.

1st Inning

Hopes of keeping the excitement from Game 4 going were quickly deflated. The inning started with Mookie Betts hitting a double off a Glasnow fastball. Betts then scored the first run on a RBI-Single from Corey Seager.

Seager advanced on two wild pitches from Glasnow and then scored on a hit from Cody Bellinger. As per usual, the Rays are trailing early, this time 2-0. The good news is no homer to start the game off.

In the bottom of the first Yandy Diaz gave some hope with a leadoff single. Randy Arozarena hits a beautiful shot that fell just barely foul providing a glimpse of hope like finding the first two numbers on a scratch lottery ticket.

A double play and foul out later and it’s on to the second inning.

Dodgers lead 2-0.

Second Inning

Joc Pederson took a Glasnow fastball and crushed it extending Dodgers lead to 3-0.

Tyler not looking good. Through the first two innings the Dodgers batters are hitting him hard regardless of pitch.

baseballsavant.mlb.com

Austin Barnes gets walked and then tries to still second. Willy don’t play that.

Margot with a leadoff bunt to start the bottom of the inning and advanced to second on a Renfroe groundout.

Margot would get left stranded as if he rode the SS Minnow to second base with the help of a very questionable called strike three on Joey Wendle that looked just a tad high.

Third Inning

Max Muncy single gives the leadoff batter a hit in every inning so far. Glasnow staying ever consistent throws his third wild pitch of the game to move Muncy to second.

The good news is two strikeouts later and a groundout and we have our first inning of the game without allowing a run. We are making progress.

Kevin Kiermaier hustles out a single to start the bottom of the third giving every Rays leadoff hitter a hit as well. Then Yandy Diaz with a big triple that scores Kiermaier to make it a 3-1 game.

Arozarena follows with a RBI single of his own to trim the Dodgers lead to 3-2. This Randy is collecting records that are not made of vinyl.

Fourth Inning

Person, Barnes, and Betts. That’s the inning. 1-2-3.

Manuel Margot continues the leadoff baserunner streak with a walk. Then he steals second and decides to go for third when the ball gets lose. The aggressive move pays off with a runner on third and no outs.

Margot then tries to steal home and falls inches short to end the inning. Hate the outcome, love the gamble.

Fifth Inning

Glasnow was looking good through the first two batters then gifted Max Muncy a homer with a fastball dead center in the zone. Yet another two-out run for the Dodgers extending their lead to 4-2.

Glasnow will end his night after five innings pitched. The Dodgers were hitting him hard. Thankfully it is only a two-run deficit.

On to the bottom of the fifth and Kershaw gets his first 1-2-3 inning.

Sixth Inning

Aaron Loup is in to pitch for the Rays for 0.2 innings giving up one walk. Diego Castillo comes in to retire the last batter. Still only down two.

Kershaw only needs two pitches to retire the first two Rays hitters. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts pulls Kershaw for Dustin May to which the crowd responds with a chorus of boos not related to Halloween. There was also some appreciation for Kershaw.

Also, Dustin May decided he wanted to be good tonight and strikeout Margot. Dodgers still lead 4-2.

Seventh Inning

Castillo gets Betts, Seager, and Turner in order. Easy like Sunday morning.

Now we just need some offense and by offense I mean three runs in the next three innings.

Joey Wendle with a well struck ball that landed in Pederson’s glove. Man, that felt like the moment needed right there. Meadows pinch hits for Renfroe but the result is an out.

May is dealing and that is not fun to watch.

Still have some time left for a comeback. Right?

Eighth Inning

Ryan Sheriff in to pitch for the Rays and holds the line. The bullpen has been outstanding today and is keeping the margin in reach for the Rays if a rally can ever get going.

Kiermaier leads off the bottom of the eighth with a Single after May leaves a sinker up in the zone.

Tsutsugo pinch hits for Zunino and flies out. Dodgers bring in Victor Gonzalez in relief of May and the Rays counter by pinch hitting Mike Brosseau for Ji-Man Choi.

Kiermaier to second on a wild pitch and Brosseau draws a walk. Bringing Randy to the plate.

Randy flies out followed by Lowe with a line drive right to Bellinger’s glove. On to the ninth with Dodgers still holding on to a 4-2 lead.

Ninth Inning

Ryan Thompson in to pitch the ninth for the Rays. Quick work of Taylor and Hernandez with groundouts.

One walk and a strikeout and we are on to the bottom of the ninth. Can lightning strike twice in one series?

Blake Treinen comes up for the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth with Margot, Meadows, and Wendle due up.

Margot with a leadoff single that sneaks through the infield. Meadows comes to the plate as the potential tying runner.

Meadows strikes out.

Wendle flies out to center.

Adames strikes out.

Dodgers win and take a 3-2. After a day off tomorrow we will see if the Rays can push the series to seven or if the Dodgers win it all on Tuesday.