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

Milwaukee Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff made a successful return to the mound, and combined with homers from Gary Sanchez and Jake Bauers, the Brewers beat the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 on Tuesday.

Woodruff (1-0), returning from a season-ending lat injury in September 2025 and missing all of 2024 after shoulder surgery, pitched five strong innings. He allowed just four hits and two solo homers while striking out six without issuing a walk.

Tampa Bay starter Shane McClanahan (0-1) made his first major league start in 972 days. The two-time All-Star had missed all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery and sat out last season due to nerve issues in his left triceps. McClanahan allowed a walk in the first four innings before Milwaukee took the lead with a three-run rally in the fifth.

The go-ahead run came on an overturned call. Gary Sanchez walked to start the inning, followed by a single from Brandon Lockridge. Joey Ortiz drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Brice Turang then singled to right, driving in Sanchez and Lockridge, while Ortiz scored after an initial out call was overturned due to a dropped ball by center fielder Cedric Mullins.

McClanahan finished with 4 2/3 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits, with four strikeouts and three walks in 79 pitches.

The Brewers extended their lead in the sixth. Sanchez hit a two-out solo homer, his second of the season. Bauers singled, stole second, and scored on Lockridge’s double. Bauers added his second homer of the game in the eighth to make it 6-2.

Jared Koenig, Grant Anderson, Abner Uribe, and Angel Zerpa closed out the game with scoreless innings, preserving the Brewers’ victory.

For the Rays, Jonathan Aranda opened the scoring with a first-inning solo homer, and Nick Fortes added another in the fifth to put Tampa Bay ahead 2-0 before Milwaukee’s comeback.

The win snapped Milwaukee’s recent slump and highlighted Woodruff’s return as a key boost for the team this season.

—Field Level Media/Reuters