Tropicana Field: Rays fans demand offensive fix after three-game sweep threat

Eight runs scored by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning of Game 3 settled the tone at Tropicana Field.

The result leaves Tampa Bay trailing the Brewers 3-0 in the World Series. The Rays are now one loss away from elimination from the championship.

Jeff Ballenger traveled from Alaska to St. Petersburg to watch the game. He serves in the U.S. Coast Guard and grew up in Lakeland, Florida. Ballenger watched his team fall behind quickly and argued that the franchise requires a larger payroll to compete.

“We need hitting. We need hitting,” Ballenger said. He suggested an additional $50 million in spending would help the roster. He also advocated for more playing time for young prospects under manager Kevin Cash.

University of Tampa baseball players at the game offered a similar assessment of the team's standing. Ethan Frame noted the Rays were falling behind in the series. “I feel like we’re a little bit out of it,” Frame said.

His teammate Evan Peerless acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. “I mean, it’s definitely going to be really hard,” Peerless said. He maintained that Tampa Bay remained the team most capable of a comeback. Ballenger expressed confidence that the Rays could win four consecutive games to secure the title. “Maybe we'll go on a 4-0 streak and we'll shock the world,” he said. The Rays will attempt to stay in the series during Game 4 on Tuesday night.