Rays beat Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings to avoid World Series sweep

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings in Game 4 of the 2026 World Series. The win kept the Rays from elimination. Milwaukee leads the best-of-seven series 3-1. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in St. Petersburg, at Tropicana Field according to ESPN.

The Brewers led in the 12th inning. The Rays overcame that lead. Jonny DeLuca and pinch hitter Ben Williamson drove in runs with singles.

The 12th inning

According to ESPN, Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt, 22, hit a tiebreaking solo home run off Ian Seymour in the top of the 12th. It was his fourth hit of the game. ESPN reported that he became the first rookie to hit an extra-inning home run in the World Series.

ESPN reported that the bottom of the inning began with a throwing error by Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz on Junior Caminero's grounder. Liam Hicks then singled off Shane Drohan, who had not pitched since 15 October. DeLuca's single scored pinch runner Cedric Mullins to tie the game at 3. Chandler Simpson's single loaded the bases. Williamson, who had been 1-for-15 in the postseason, then hit a chopper into right field for the winning hit, according to ESPN.

Context

According to ESPN, the loss ended an eight-game Brewers winning streak. It was Milwaukee's first postseason loss in 21 days. ESPN said the Brewers hit 12 of the game's 13 hardest-hit balls, and six Rays relievers allowed one run over eight innings.

Citing OptaSTATS, ESPN reported that the Rays are the fourth team to avoid World Series elimination with an extra-inning comeback. The previous three won the title. ESPN also reported that of 43 teams to trail 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series, only the 2004 Boston Red Sox came back to win.

Both teams are seeking their first championship, according to ESPN.

What each side says

Caminero left the game with an ailing left foot, ESPN reported. According to ESPN, he said he will definitely play in Game 5. ESPN quoted Rays manager Kevin Cash as saying: "He'll play tomorrow on one leg. I'll make sure of it."

Ortiz said he should have made the play, according to ESPN. Drohan said he did not get the job done. He added that the Brewers can recover because they have been the best team in baseball all year. ESPN quoted Brewers captain Christian Yelich as saying: "If you want to win a championship, you've got to survive some hard things." Pratt called his home run "probably one of the coolest swings of my life," ESPN reported.

What remains unclear

ESPN reported that Jacob Misiorowski will start Game 5 for Milwaukee. Cash said he had not yet decided on a Rays starter, ESPN reported. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include a diagnosis for Caminero's foot. They also do not confirm whether Brewers relievers DL Hall, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby, who pitched long stints in Game 4, will be available.

Analysis

The result keeps the series alive, but Milwaukee still needs one win in up to three games. Historical figures cited by ESPN point both ways. Earlier extra-inning comebacks from elimination led to titles, while the four previous teams to win Game 4 after trailing 3-0 lost Game 5. Such patterns describe the past and do not determine what happens next. Key open questions include Caminero's foot, the Rays' choice of starter and the state of both bullpens after a 12-inning game. Each could shape Game 5 in either team's favour.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.