Brandon Woodruff, Brewers best Rays in Shane McClanahan's return

Field Level Media|published: Tue 31st March, 22:43 2026

Mar 31, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Gary Sanchez and Jake Bauers homered and Brandon Woodruff pitched five effective innings in his season debut, pacing the Milwaukee Brewers past the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 on Tuesday.

The result spoiled the first appearance for Tampa Bay starter Shane McClanahan in 972 days.

Woodruff (1-0), who sustained a season-ending lat injury in late September that kept him out of the playoffs, allowed two solo homers and four hits while striking out six without a walk. Woodruff also missed all of 2024 following shoulder surgery.

McClanahan (0-1) was back on a major league mound for the first time since Aug. 2, 2023. The two-time All Star missed all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery, then sat out last season due to nerve problems in his left triceps.

McClanahan allowed just a walk through the first four innings before the Brewers erased a 2-0 deficit with three runs in the fifth, including the go-ahead run on an overturned call.

Sanchez walked to open the Milwaukee fifth. Brandon Lockridge singled with one out, and Joey Ortiz drew a two-out walk to load the bases.

Brice Turang then singled to right, driving in Sanchez and Lockridge, with Ortiz heading home as Turang got in a rundown. Turang was initially called out at second before Ortiz scored, but the call was overturned as a dropped ball on the tag by center fielder Cedric Mullins, allowing Ortiz's run to count on the error.

McClanahan allowed three runs, two earned, on two hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked three in a 79-pitch outing.

The Brewers added two runs in the sixth off Cole Sulser to make it 5-2. Sanchez hit a two-out solo homer, his second. Bauers then singled, stole second and scored on Lockridge's double.

Bauers opened the eighth with his second homer to put Milwaukee up 6-2.

Jared Koenig, Grant Anderson, Abner Uribe and Angel Zerpa followed Woodruff with a scoreless inning apiece.

Jonathan Aranda staked the Rays to a 1-0 lead with one out in the first with his second homer, sending a 1-0 pitch from Woodruff 388 feet to left-center.

Nick Fortes opened the fifth inning with his first homer to put the Rays up 2-0.

--Field Level Media

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