MLB2 hours ago2 minute read

Rays Rally in 12th Inning to Stop Milwaukee Sweep

The Rays rallied past Milwaukee in the 12th inning to win Game 4 and keep the World Series alive.

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Late Drama in St. Petersburg

Cooper Pratt put Milwaukee on the verge of a championship on Tuesday night. The 22 year old led off the top of the 12th inning with a home run to give the Brewers a late lead. Pratt became the first player his age to record four hits in a potential Series clinching game. He called it one of the coolest swings of his life.

That lead did not last long. Tampa Bay answered in the bottom half of the 12th by sending five straight batters to the basepaths. The Rays secured a 4-3 walk off victory to avoid a sweep and force Game 5. The defeat snapped a 21 day postseason winning stretch for Milwaukee.

Tough Breakdown in the Field

Milwaukee had plenty of hard contact during the night. They produced 12 of the 13 hardest hit balls in the game. Nine of those hit over 102 mph ended up as outs. Errors in the field proved just as costly. Milwaukee third baseman Joey Ortiz made an errant throw on a grounder from Junior Caminero to open the bottom of the 12th. Ortiz admitted after the game that he should make that play every time.

Rookie reliever Shane Drohan then came in for Milwaukee after not pitching in 12 days. Liam Hicks hit a grounder past Pratt, who was shaded closer to second base for a left handed batter. Jonny DeLuca lined a single to tie the game, and Chandler Simpson loaded the bases. Pinch hitter Ben Williamson ended it with a hard chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers.

Pushing Through Adversity

The loss ended an 18 game winning streak for Milwaukee when holding a lead at any point, dating back to Sept. 17. Still, the team remains confident. Drohan pointed out that Milwaukee has been the best team in baseball all year.

Brewers captain Christian Yelich noted that this process is supposed to test players. Manager Pat Murphy added that achieving something special always comes with adversity. Milwaukee had won 10 of its first 11 postseason games before Tuesday night, but now they must win another game to take the trophy.

What it means for the next game

Milwaukee Brewers at Tampa Bay Rays (MLB, Thu, 29 Oct): Tampa Bay Rays win 43%, Milwaukee Brewers win 57%; projected score Tampa Bay Rays 3, Milwaukee Brewers 4. Our safest pick: Rays +3.5.

Tampa Bay Rays at Milwaukee Brewers (MLB, Sat, 31 Oct): Milwaukee Brewers win 62%, Tampa Bay Rays win 38%; projected score Milwaukee Brewers 5, Tampa Bay Rays 3. Our safest pick: Under 10.5 runs.