Rays score 4 in 12th to force World Series Game 5
Tampa Bay escaped a 3-0 series deficit with a dramatic extra-inning rally against Milwaukee, becoming the fourth team in history to survive such a collapse.
By Ayanda Kaminski ·
The Tampa Bay Rays scored four runs in the twelfth inning to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. This victory forced a Game 5 in the World Series and stopped the Brewers from sweeping the series for the first time in franchise history.
Cooper Pratt hit a home run off Ian Seymour in the top of the twelfth. The 22-year-old rookie drove a slider into the left-field seats for his fourth hit of the game. That put Milwaukee up 4-3 and put the series within reach of a final sweep.
The Rays answered in the bottom half after a throwing error by third baseman Joey Ortiz. Ortiz mishandled a leadoff grounder from Junior Caminero against reliever Antonio Senzatela. Liam Hicks then singled off rookie left-hander Shane Drohan to get on base. Drohan made his first appearance since October 15.
Jonny DeLuca singled to center field. That hit drove in pinch-runner Cedric Mullins and tied the score at 3. Chandler Simpson followed with a single that loaded the bases. Milwaukee moved the infield in and used a five-man alignment to protect the lead.
Ben Williamson entered as a pinch-hitter for Victor Mesa Jr. He was batting 1 for 15 in the postseason. Williamson hit a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers into right field. The ball landed for a walk-off hit that secured the win for Tampa Bay.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said he instructed Williamson to hit the ball over first base. Cash drew laughs from the team when he noted he had to go back and recall the specific sequence of events. Cash said the team has fight left in it and never shies away from a challenge.
According to OptaSTATS, Tampa Bay became the fourth team in World Series history to avoid elimination with an extra-inning comeback. The 1912 Red Sox, 1986 Mets, and 2011 Cardinals are the only previous teams to do so, and all three went on to win the championship. Tampa Bay is now the fifth of 26 teams to win Game 4 after trailing 3-0 in the World Series.
Junior Caminero left the game with an ailing left foot but said he will play in Wednesday's Game 5. Manager Cash assured reporters that Caminero will take the field on one leg if necessary. The Brewers are scheduled to start Jacob Misiorowski, while the Rays have not yet announced their starter for the decisive game.
Source: WVXU
