Rays, Brewers open Game 2 of the World Series with a historic first inning

Game 2 of the 2026 World Series started with the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers showing off their flaming bats.

The offense came early from both sides on Saturday at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis., with the Rays scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. The Brewers then responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame.

The six combined hits in the inning turned out to be historic.

“The Brewers and Rays combined for 7 hits in the 1st inning tonight – tied for the most combined hits in the 1st inning of any World Series game all-time,” OptaSTATS shared in a social media post on X.

The Rays got to Milwaukee starter Logan Henderson early, as the right-handed pitcher allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Henderson pitched for three innings before reliever JoJo Romero took over the pitching duties for the Brewers. 

The Rays, on the other hand, started righty Drew Rasmussen, who has been one of the best on the mound in the postseason. But he also struggled early against the Brewers, allowing singles to the first two batters he faced. Rasmussen later allowed a pair of RBI singles that put Milwaukee on the board and trimmed Tampa Bay’s lead in half before the end of the first inning.

That inning was a good example of how exciting and unpredictable this World Series can be at the same time.