Rays’ Junior Caminero explains play that happened right before Brewers’ 5th inning outburst appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Rays were defeated 10-1 by the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night in Game 3 of the World Series. Milwaukee now holds a 3-0 series lead. However, could things have been different if third baseman Junior Caminero made a different decision in the 5th inning? There has been no shortage of debate around the question since Game 3 saw the Brewers score eight runs in the 5th.
With runners on first and second and two outs in a 2-0 ball game, Brewers slugger William Contreras hit a ground ball to Caminero’s left. The third baseman fielded the ball cleanly but attempted to throw Christian Yelich out at second base for an inning-ending force out. Yelich was initially called out, but the call was later over-turned, leading to Milwaukee having the bases loaded.
Video via Talkin’ Baseball:
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After review, Junior Caminero's throw doesn't make it to second in time and the Brewers have the bases loaded with two outs pic.twitter.com/QZWy3k9GPG
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 27, 2026
Brice Turang followed the play with a two-RBI single. Milwaukee, as mentioned, went on to score eight runs to take a 10-0 lead.
Caminero explained why he went to second base as opposed to attempting to throw Contreras out at first, via Mark Skol Jr. of FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
“Yeah, I already had in mind going to second base,” Caminero told reporters. “I knew the speed at first base wasn’t necessarily the best in that situation, so going into the moment I was, you know, once I got the ground ball I was going to second base all the way.”
It’s difficult to blame Caminero for the decision. The ground ball he received was taking him toward second base. Rays fans will always be left wondering if the disastrous inning — and possibly an 0-3 World Series deficit — could have been avoided if he did throw the ball to first base, however.
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