By Sohaib Shams
Tampa Bay Rays staged a dramatic two-run rally in the 12th inning to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 on Tuesday night, staving off World Series elimination and forcing a decisive Game 5.
12th-inning drama
The Brewers appeared poised for a sweep and their first championship when Cooper Pratt hit a tiebreaking home run off Ian Seymour in the top of the 12th. However, a throwing error by third baseman Joey Ortiz on Junior Caminero's leadoff grounder opened the door for Tampa Bay. Liam Hicks singled off reliever Shane Drohan, and Jonny DeLuca's single to center drove in pinch-runner Cedric Mullins to tie the game at 3. With the bases loaded after Chandler Simpson's single, Milwaukee brought in a five-man infield. Pinch-hitter Ben Williamson, who had been 1 for 15 in the postseason, then hit a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers into right field to score the winning run.
Series context
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The Rays became only the fifth of 26 teams to win Game 4 after falling behind 3-0 in the World Series; the previous four all lost Game 5. The only team in postseason history to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series remains the 2004 Boston Red Sox, who rallied past the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
