The Tampa Bay Rays aren’t ready to call it a season. With their World Series hopes hanging by a thread, Tampa Bay delivered a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in 12 innings Tuesday night, keeping its championship dreams alive and forcing a fifth game.
Facing elimination after dropping the first three games of the series, the Rays entered Game 4 knowing there was no room for another defeat. Milwaukee, meanwhile, was looking to complete a sweep and celebrate the first World Series championship in franchise history.
For much of the night, neither team could gain a decisive advantage. The game remained tied at 2-2 through nine innings, with both pitching staffs keeping opposing hitters in check as the tension continued to build.
The Brewers appeared to have delivered the decisive blow in the top of the 12th inning when rookie Cooper Pratt launched a solo home run off Tampa Bay pitcher Ian Seymour. The blast gave Milwaukee a 3-2 lead and moved the Brewers closer to securing the championship.
But Tampa Bay had other plans.
The Rays opened the bottom of the 12th with an opportunity created by a throwing error from Milwaukee third baseman Joey Ortiz, allowing Junior Caminero to reach base. Liam Hicks followed with a single, setting the stage for a remarkable comeback.
Jonny DeLuca then delivered a clutch single to center field, bringing home pinch-runner Cedric Mullins and tying the game at 3-3.
With momentum shifting toward the home team, Chandler Simpson added another single to load the bases. Milwaukee responded by positioning five infielders in an attempt to prevent the winning run from scoring.
That strategy couldn’t stop Ben Williamson.
The Tampa Bay pinch-hitter, who had struggled offensively throughout the postseason, connected on a ground ball that cleared first baseman Jake Bauers and reached right field. The hit brought home the winning run and sent Tropicana Field into celebration.
The victory was especially significant considering the historical challenge facing Tampa Bay. Only five teams have managed to win Game 4 of the World Series after falling behind 3-0, and none of the previous four went on to win Game 5.
The Rays now have an opportunity to challenge that history, although the road ahead remains difficult.
The only team in Major League Baseball history to overcome a 3-0 deficit in any best-of-seven postseason series was the 2004 Boston Red Sox, who accomplished the feat against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
For Milwaukee, the loss represents a missed opportunity rather than the end of its championship pursuit. The Brewers still control the series with a 3-1 advantage and need just one more victory to secure their first title.
Tampa Bay, however, has demonstrated that it won’t surrender without a fight.
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field, where the Rays will attempt to extend the series once again.
Milwaukee remains firmly in control of the championship race, but Tampa Bay has ensured that the World Series will continue for at least one more night.
