The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night at American Family Field, surviving a nervy ninth inning to open a series between two teams that have never won it all.

Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski set the tone from the very first pitch, firing a 103.5 mph four-seamer to leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz that MLB.com called a World Series velocity record. He worked five innings before handing the ball to the bullpen with a lead intact.

Yelich Delivers, Bullpen Holds On

Christian Yelich drove in a run with a triple as part of Milwaukee's offense, which did just enough against a Rays lineup that entered the series red-hot on the bases. Catcher William Contreras threw out two Tampa Bay runners attempting to steal — a significant swing given the Rays had gone a perfect 11-for-11 on stolen-base attempts in the postseason up to that point.

A PERFECT SERIES ON THE BASES — UNTIL CONTRERAS

That stat swing may have been the difference in a one-run game, with Abner Uribe recording four outs and Aaron Ashby closing out five in relief of Misiorowski to hold Milwaukee's lead through the late innings.

The Ninth-Inning Controversy

Tampa Bay nearly salvaged the night when umpires initially called a game-ending double play, only to overturn the ruling on replay review and keep the Rays' final at-bat alive. Milwaukee's bullpen needed two additional outs to actually close out the win after the reversal, adding a jolt of late drama to a tightly played opener.

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday night back in Milwaukee, with the Rays looking to even the series before it shifts to Tampa Bay. Both franchises are seeking their first championship since each entered the league decades ago — Milwaukee since 1969, Tampa Bay since 1998.