Rays Force World Series Game 5 With 4-3 Win in 12 Innings

Q: How did the Rays turn a one-strike-from-elimination moment into a 13-inning World Series escape against Milwaukee?

The Rays survived by capitalizing on Milwaukee’s one late mistake and then stringing together three straight quality at-bats when they were one strike from elimination. Milwaukee appeared to have the title in hand after rookie Cooper Pratt’s solo home run in the top of the 13th gave the Brewers a 3-2 lead. In the bottom half, Tampa Bay’s comeback began when a Brewers error allowed Junior Caminero to reach. That extra baserunner changed the inning. Liam Hicks followed with a single, pushing Caminero into scoring position and giving the Rays immediate life. With the season hanging on the next swings, Jonny DeLuca delivered the key contact Milwaukee could not avoid, lining a single to center to score Caminero and tie the game at 3-3. Chandler Simpson then reached to load the bases with no outs, turning pressure fully onto the Brewers’ bullpen and defense. That set up Ben Williamson, the final bat left on Tampa Bay’s bench. Used as a pinch-hitter, Williamson punched a single to bring home the winning run and complete the 4-3 walk-off. Instead of a Brewers celebration, the Rays forced Game 5. The broader reason Tampa Bay escaped was that its bullpen kept the game close long enough for one opening to matter. Milwaukee’s relievers had protected the tie deep into extras, but after Pratt’s homer, the Brewers could not finish the final strike. Tampa Bay’s combination of patience, contact hitting and bench depth turned that tiny opening into a season-saving rally.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Oct 28

Tampa Bay erased a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the 12th, with Jonny DeLuca tying the game and pinch-hitter Ben Williamson driving in the winner for a 4-3 victory over Milwaukee.
Joey Ortiz's throwing error on Junior Caminero's leadoff grounder opened the door after Cooper Pratt had put the Brewers ahead with a solo homer in the top half.
Pratt finished with four hits and became the first rookie to homer in extra innings of a World Series, while Milwaukee's eight-game winning streak ended one win short of a sweep.
Game 5 is Wednesday night at Tropicana Field, where Tampa Bay will try to become the first team since the 2004 Red Sox to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series.