The Tampa Bay Rays kept their World Series hopes alive with a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night, scoring twice in the bottom of the 12th inning to force a fifth game in the championship series.
Jonny DeLuca delivered the game-tying hit before pinch hitter Ben Williamson singled home the winning run, completing a stunning comeback at Tropicana Field. The victory prevented Tampa Bay from being swept and gave the club another opportunity to pursue its first World Series championship.
The Brewers had moved within reach of their first title after Cooper Pratt hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th inning. Instead, Milwaukee watched its chance to close out the series slip away in a tense finish.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Tampa Bay.
Brewers Take Late Lead Through Cooper Pratt
With the game still tied in the 12th inning, Pratt launched a home run off Tampa Bay pitcher Ian Seymour to put Milwaukee ahead 3-2.
The blast appeared to deliver the decisive breakthrough for the Brewers, who entered the game looking to complete a World Series sweep and claim the franchise’s first championship.
But Tampa Bay refused to go quietly.
The Rays opened the bottom half of the inning with Junior Caminero reaching base after Milwaukee third baseman Joey Ortiz committed a throwing error on a ground ball.
That mistake immediately put pressure on the Brewers’ defense and gave the home team an opening to mount its final rally.
Liam Hicks followed with a single against Shane Drohan, who was making his first appearance since Oct. 15. With runners aboard, Tampa Bay had an opportunity to erase the deficit and extend the series.
DeLuca Ties the Game Before Williamson Wins It
The Rays drew level when DeLuca lined a single into center field, bringing home pinch runner Cedric Mullins to make it 3-3.
The hit transformed the atmosphere at Tropicana Field and placed Milwaukee in a difficult position. Tampa Bay was no longer fighting simply to stay alive; the winning run was now within reach.
Chandler Simpson then singled to load the bases, forcing the Brewers to bring their infield in and use a five-man infield alignment in an attempt to prevent the decisive run from scoring.
Williamson, who had managed just one hit in 15 postseason at-bats entering the moment, stepped to the plate with the game hanging in the balance.
He responded with a ground ball that bounced over first baseman Jake Bauers and rolled into right field. The hit brought home the winning run, completing Tampa Bay’s two-run rally and securing a 4-3 victory.
For Williamson, the decisive single provided a memorable postseason moment after a difficult stretch at the plate. For the Rays, it was the breakthrough they needed to keep their championship hopes alive.
Tampa Bay Avoids Elimination
The victory was especially significant because Tampa Bay had entered the night facing elimination after losing the first three games of the series.
According to the supplied series statistics, the Rays became just the fifth team in 26 World Series matchups to trail 3-0 and then win Game 4. The previous four teams in that situation all went on to lose Game 5.
That history highlights the challenge still facing Tampa Bay. Tuesday’s comeback extended the series, but the Rays must win again Wednesday to prevent Milwaukee from claiming the championship.
The Brewers, meanwhile, will have to regroup after coming within one inning of completing the sweep.
Brewers Miss Opportunity to Claim First Title
Milwaukee appeared poised to make history when Pratt’s home run gave the team a late lead. Instead, a defensive error and Tampa Bay’s timely hitting changed the outcome in the bottom of the 12th.
The defeat will be difficult to absorb for a Brewers team that had the chance to finish the series in four games. However, Milwaukee still holds a 3-1 advantage and remains one victory away from its first World Series title.
The late collapse also reinforces the importance of defensive execution in postseason baseball. Ortiz’s throwing error helped open the door, while DeLuca and Williamson capitalized when the Rays needed hits most.
Tampa Bay’s ability to respond under elimination pressure has given the series another chapter, even as Milwaukee retains control.
Game 5: Another Chance for the Rays
Game 5 will take place Wednesday night at Tropicana Field, where Tampa Bay will attempt to win again and continue its unlikely comeback.
The Rays have shown they can survive a high-pressure elimination game, but the challenge becomes even greater with the Brewers still holding a commanding series lead.
For Milwaukee, the objective is straightforward: recover from Tuesday’s disappointment and secure the one remaining victory needed to finish the job.
For Tampa Bay, DeLuca’s game-tying single and Williamson’s walk-off hit have bought the team another night.
The Rays are still fighting for their first championship, while the Brewers remain close to claiming theirs. After a 12-inning thriller, the World Series is guaranteed at least one more game.
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