The Tampa Bay Rays avoided a World Series sweep on Tuesday night, mounting a dramatic 12th-inning rally to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in Game 4. The victory keeps Tampa Bay alive in the series, though they still face a 3-1 deficit heading into Game 5.
Extra-Inning Drama Keeps Tampa Bay Alive
Milwaukee appeared poised to secure its first World Series title in franchise history after 22-year-old rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt broke a 2-2 tie with a leadoff home run in the top of the 12th inning. Preparations for a championship celebration were already underway in the Brewers’ clubhouse as the team moved within three outs of a sweep.
However, a defensive misplay by Milwaukee allowed Tampa Bay to mount a comeback. Rays infielder Junior Caminero hit a ground ball to third baseman Joey Ortiz, who threw wildly past first baseman Jake Bauers. The error put the tying run on base, opening the door for Tampa Bay’s offense.
“No excuse,” Ortiz said. “Not one at all. I should make that play every (expletive) time.”
The Rays capitalized on the mistake. Catcher Liam Hicks singled to left field off reliever Shane Drohan, sending pinch-runner Cedric Mullins to third base. Jonny DeLuca followed with an RBI single past a drawn-in infield to tie the game at 3-3. After Chandler Simpson singled to load the bases, pinch-hitter Ben Williamson delivered a game-winning chopper over Bauers into right field.
As reported by USA Today, Williamson’s hit marked the first pinch-hit, walk-off hit in the World Series since Gene Larkin won Game 7 for the Minnesota Twins in 1991. “It’s what you dream of growing up,” Williamson said. “You play wiffle ball in the backyard with your friends and you’re dreaming of hitting a walk-off ball in the World Series.”
Chasing History Against Long Odds
No team in Major League Baseball history has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the World Series, nor has any team trailing 3-0 forced a Game 6 or Game 7. The only MLB team to overcome a 3-0 postseason deficit in a best-of-seven series was the 2004 Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
Despite the steep historical odds, Tampa Bay players expressed confidence following the win before a sellout crowd of 40,514 fans. Caminero stated that the team believes it can pull off the comeback because they consider themselves the best team in the American League. Rays reliever Nick Martinez, who threw two scoreless innings in relief, emphasized taking the remaining challenge one pitch at a time.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the resilience of the Rays, noting that achieving a championship always comes with adversity. He praised Tampa Bay’s performance and emphasized that Milwaukee needs to reset and be ready for the next matchup.
The series remains in Tampa Bay for Game 5 on Wednesday night, where the Rays will face Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski as Milwaukee attempts to close out the championship.
