The Tampa Bay Rays staved off World Series elimination Tuesday night, rallying for two runs in the bottom of the 12th inning to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 and force a Game 5. The Brewers had taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the frame on a home run by Cooper Pratt off Ian Seymour, putting Milwaukee three outs from a sweep and its first championship.
Tampa Bay's comeback began with a leadoff grounder by Junior Caminero that resulted in a throwing error by third baseman Joey Ortiz against reliever Antonio Senzatela. After Liam Hicks singled off Shane Drohan, Jonny DeLuca drove in pinch-runner Cedric Mullins with a single to center to tie the game. Chandler Simpson followed with a single to load the bases, prompting the Brewers to bring in a five-man infield.
With the infield drawn in, pinch-hitter Ben Williamson hit a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers and into right field, scoring the winning run. Williamson, who had been 1 for 15 in the postseason, delivered the decisive hit. The Rays became just the fifth team in 26 tries to win Game 4 after falling behind 3-0 in the World Series; the previous four all lost Game 5.
Historically, only one team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series: the 2004 Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Game 5 is set for Wednesday night in St. Petersburg.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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