The Milwaukee Brewers missed their initial opportunity to claim the franchise’s first World Series title following an extra-inning loss in Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Now, 24-year-old starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski takes the mound in Game 5 at Tropicana Field with another chance to secure the championship.
Rays Force Game 5 After Extra-Inning Comeback
Milwaukee fell short of closing out the series when Rays infielder Ben Williamson hit a two-run, walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning. Williamson’s hit overturned a short-lived Milwaukee lead created in the top half of the inning, when 22-year-old rookie Cooper Pratt hit a solo home run off pitcher Ian Seymour. Pratt concluded Game 4 with four hits.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy discussed the emotional turn of events after the game, emphasizing the resilience required during a championship run. “When you’re achieving something like this, it’s going to have its adversity,” Murphy stated, noting that competitors must simply focus on coming back ready for the next contest.
Strategic Pitching Moves and Misiorowski’s Postseason Record
Facing elimination while trailing 3-0 in the series, Tampa Bay managed its pitching staff aggressively throughout Game 4. Rays manager Kevin Cash deployed projected Game 5 starter Nick Martinez along with relievers Cameron Booser, Ian Seymour, and closer Bryan Baker, who threw two innings. Conversely, Murphy opted not to use Misiorowski out of the bullpen, saving him for his scheduled Game 5 start.
During the 11th inning, Murphy removed reliever Aaron Ashby after 2⅓ scoreless innings to preserve his health and workload. “He was disappointed he was coming out,” Murphy said. “But I said we’ve got to be mindful of your health, and we’ve got to be mindful of winning the whole thing. If you’re going to win the whole thing, you have to understand that we can’t drain you today or risk injury today. He’s thrown a lot.”
Ashby understood the reasoning behind the decision. “I had an idea of why he was coming out to get me,” Ashby said regarding the move. Looking ahead to Game 5, Ashby added, “That loss stinks. But it’s part of our story. I think the boys are fired up to get back in there Wednesday.”
Misiorowski, whose fastball reaches 105 mph and who is expected to win the NL Cy Young Award, has posted limited length across his earlier postseason starts. On October 3, he pitched four innings against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, giving up two runs while striking out six. On October 11, he went 4⅓ innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, allowing one run with five strikeouts. In Game 1 of the World Series on October 23, he threw five innings and surrendered three runs.
With Milwaukee leading the series 3-1, Misiorowski now takes the field seeking to deliver a decisive performance and guide the Brewers to their first World Series trophy.
