Rays Survive 12th-Inning Thriller

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided elimination against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night, winning 4-3 in 12 innings at Tropicana Field. Pinch-hitter Ben Williamson hit a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers to score Nick Fortes and seal the victory. The win cuts the series deficit to 3-1 and extends the championship race.

Milwaukee took the lead in the top of the 12th inning when Cooper Pratt hit a home run off Ian Seymour. The 22-year-old rookie hit his fourth home of the game, driving a slider into the left-field seats. The Brewers celebrated as the team that had won the first three games prepared for what looked like a decisive fourth win.

Tampa Bay’s comeback began in the bottom of the 12th when Joey Ortiz threw a wild pitch on Junior Caminero’s leadoff grounder. Liam Hicks then singled off Shane Drohan, who entered the game for his first appearance since October 15. Jonny DeLuca followed with a single to center field, driving in pinch-runner Cedric Mullins to tie the score at 3-3.

Chandler Simpson loaded the bases with a single, forcing the Brewers to employ a five-man infield. Williamson, who had gone 1-for-15 in the postseason, swung at a pitch he said he expected to be attacked. He placed the ball over first base to score Fortes, who had entered the game as a pinch-runner for Hicks.

Manager Kevin Cash told reporters that the team needed every player to contribute. He noted that the group did not hang their heads after falling behind 3-2 in the 12th inning. Cash said the focus was on getting one run across, and then getting a second.

Junior Caminero left the game with an ailing left foot after being replaced by Mullins at third base. The All-Star slugger said he will play in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Cash confirmed that Caminero will play on one leg if necessary.

The Rays ended an eight-game winning streak for the Brewers. Milwaukee was attempting to become only the second team to sweep both the League Championship Series and the World Series. David Hamilton hit a home run for the Brewers, while Jackson Chourio went 1-for-2, improving to 10-for-20 in the series.

Aaron Ashby broke the record for scoreless innings by a reliever in a single postseason. He retired all batters in the ninth and tenth innings, extending his streak to 18 scoreless innings over nine appearances. This surpassed Andrew Miller’s record of 16 innings set in 2016.

The next game is scheduled for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay will attempt to become the first team in World Series history to force a Game 6 after trailing 3-0. Only four of the previous 26 teams to fall behind 3-0 won Game 4, and all four lost the next contest.

Fans filled the stands, with a crowd of 40,514 watching the one-run game. Many Milwaukee supporters wore cheeseheads and waved yellow towels. The atmosphere contrasted with the 10-1 blowout in Game 3, returning the series to the close competition seen in the first two games.