The Tampa Bay Rays produced a dramatic 12th-inning comeback to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 and force a fifth game in the World Series.
Milwaukee had been three outs away from completing a sweep and securing the first championship in franchise history when rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt hit a solo home run in the top of the 12th to put the Brewers ahead.
But the Rays responded immediately at Tropicana Field. Junior Caminero reached on a throwing error before Liam Hicks singled, and Jonny DeLuca’s base hit brought home pinch-runner Cedric Mullins to level the game.
Chandler Simpson then singled to load the bases, setting up pinch-hitter Ben Williamson. With Milwaukee bringing its infield in, Williamson struck a chopper into right field to drive in the winning run and keep Tampa Bay’s season alive.
Pratt had earlier tied the game with an RBI double and finished with four hits. His 12th-inning homer made him the first rookie to hit an extra-inning home run in a World Series.
The Brewers had also been lifted by a record-breaking performance from reliever Aaron Ashby. The left-hander completed a scoreless ninth inning to surpass Andrew Miller’s record for the most scoreless relief innings in a single post-season, extending his total to 18 before leaving the game in the 11th.
The defeat ended Milwaukee’s eight-game winning run, while the Rays became only the fifth team in World Series history to win Game 4 after falling 3-0 behind in the series.
Game 5 will be played at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night, with Tampa Bay attempting to prolong the series and Milwaukee again seeking the victory that would deliver its first World Series title.
