That was a good, old-fashioned butt whipping the Brewers just laid on the Rays. A relentless two-out attack with seven hits and eight runs in the fifth to put away Game 3 of the World Series and give themselves a commanding three games to none lead.

The fifth inning started so normal. And out, a single, an out. Two outs. No problem. Then a walk and a force play second for the third out. Only it wasn’t. Christian Yelich beat the throw at second. Now bases loaded, two outs. Single, single, single, double, double, single, double. Eight runs scored. A 10-0 lead. Game over. World Series all but over.

No team has come back from being down 0-3 in World Series history. No team has won more than one game after being down 0-3 in the World Series.

It could all end tonight. If it does, tip your hat to the Brewers for sweeping two best-of-sevens in a row. And if they do, savor it. Baseball is in for a long, ugly lockout.

Here’s hoping the Rays have at least one win in them. Selfishly. So there’s more baseball.

*****