Tampa Bay Rays Defeat Milwaukee Brewers to Force World Series Game 5

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided World Series elimination on Tuesday night, mounting a dramatic 12th-inning comeback to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 at Tropicana Field. Trailing by a run in extra innings after a home run by Cooper Pratt, the resilient Rays rallied to force a Game 5.

The Rays authored a stunning, 12th-inning rally to keep their season alive. The Brewers entered the night needing a single victory to claim the first title in franchise history and cap off a dominant postseason run. Instead, a cinematic thriller pushed the series to Wednesday night, forcing a Game 5 where Milwaukee will look to regroup.

Cooper Pratt Hits Solo Home Run in 12th

The contest remained deadlocked deep into the night until the top of the 12th inning. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt broke an innings-long tie by launching a solo home run off Tampa Bay pitching. The blast brought the Milwaukee fans who had traveled to Tropicana Field to their feet and sent the Brewers dugout spilling onto the field in celebration.

RAYS ALIVE 🗣️A 12th-inning @RaysBaseball walk-off extends the #WorldSeries to Game 5!#NoTimeLikeOctober(MLB x @FirehouseSubs) pic.twitter.com/eDy4rpb8cs

— https://x.com/MLB/status/2115303151658222021

Pratt worked the count to 2-2, then demolished a sweeper up in the zone for a go-ahead home run.

Brew Crew Ball reporter, via Brew Crew Ball

Yet the Brewers were unable to pad their lead further, leaving the door open for a Tampa Bay counter-punch.

Ben Williamson Claims the Game-Winning Walk-Off Hit

Facing elimination and having exhausted their bench options, the Rays mounted an immediate response in the bottom of the 12th. Junior Caminero reached base safely following a throwing error by Milwaukee defender Joey Ortiz. Moments later, the Rays rallied to tie the game.

HOME RUN Cooper Pratt | Milwaukee Brewers 3-2 Tampa Bay Rays | World Series G4 | MLB 2026

Serving as the final player available on the Tampa Bay bench, Ben Williamson bounced a single through the right side off reliever Shane Drohan, driving home the winning run and securing a 4-3 victory.

Tampa Bay Relievers Keep Rays Within Striking Distance

Both managers stretched their pitching staffs through the marathon contest. Griffin Jax started for Tampa Bay. The Rays deployed a succession of relievers, including Nick Martinez, who was originally slated to start Game 5 if necessary. Martinez contributed two scoreless frames to keep his team within striking distance.

Rays stay alive in World Series, walk off Brewers in thrilling extra-inning Game 4 — Photo: Fox News

Gritty. Gritty. We’re dangerous, Martinez said after the game regarding the team’s mindset facing elimination. We have our backs against the wall…we know what we have to do. We can win four in a row.

The victory narrows Milwaukee’s series lead to 3-1, but the Rays face immediate roster questions heading into Wednesday’s matchup. Tampa Bay must find an effective arm to counter a Brewers squad expected to send Jacob Misiorowski to the mound.

WALK-OFF HIT by Ben Williamson | Milwaukee Brewers 3-4 Tampa Bay Rays | World Series G4 | MLB 2026

Milwaukee entered the evening just 27 outs away from a parade, seeking to capitalize on a dominant roster that finished the regular season with 103 wins. Throughout the postseason, manager Pat Murphy relied heavily on a bullpen anchored by Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby. Ashby made history during the ninth inning by setting a new postseason standard for consecutive scoreless relief appearances, surpassing Andrew Miller’s 2016 record.

Despite those high-leverage arms holding the line through regulation, the Brewers saw their bullpen depleted as extra innings stretched deep into the night. Anthony Senzatela was ultimately handed the ball in the 12th frame to preserve the narrow lead, but errors on the infield and relentless plate discipline from Tampa Bay unraveled the plan. Following the dramatic finish, the series shifts immediately back to the field for Game 5.