Rays Stun Brewers in 12-Inning Walk-Off to Avert World Series Elimination

Ben Williamson delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the twelfth after Cooper Pratt had put Milwaukee three outs from a sweep, forcing Wednesday's Game 5 at Tropicana Field.

Pinch-hitter Ben Williamson bounced a walk-off single into right field with the bases loaded in the twelfth inning Tuesday night, capping a frantic two-run rally that gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers and prevented a sweep in the World Series.

The hit on the 367th pitch of the marathon contest pushed the best-of-seven championship to Game 5 at Tropicana Field on Wednesday. Milwaukee still holds a 3-1 series lead, but the Brewers missed an opportunity to celebrate the franchise's first title after entering the bottom of the twelfth three outs away from a sweep before 40,514 fans.

Milwaukee rookie Cooper Pratt had seemingly settled the contest in the top of the twelfth. Pratt, who finished four for five, drove a 2-2 sweeper from Ian Seymour over the left-center field wall to snap a 2-2 tie. The Brewers bullpen needed three outs to secure the trophy, yet the bottom half unraveled immediately against two relievers.

Junior Caminero led off the frame against Antonio Senzatela with a sharp ground ball toward third base. Joey Ortiz uncorked a wild throwing error, allowing Caminero to reach safely. Caminero suffered an apparent leg injury during the sprint down the line, prompting manager Kevin Cash to insert Cedric Mullins as a pinch-runner.

Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy summoned left-hander Shane Drohan, who had not pitched in a game since October 15. Liam Hicks lined a single into left field, placing runners at the corners. Cash replaced Hicks on the basepaths with pinch-runner Nick Fortes. Jonny DeLuca then delivered the tying blow, lacing a clean single into center field to score Mullins and knot the score at 3-3.

Chandler Simpson lined another single into center field, loading the bases with no outs. Murphy pulled left fielder Sal Frelick into the dirt to construct a five-man infield. Milwaukee stationed three infielders on the left side with every defender drawn in on the grass to cut down the winning run at home plate.

Cash countered by sending Williamson to the plate to hit for Victor Mesa Jr. Williamson had struggled throughout October, entering with just one hit in fifteen postseason at-bats. The rookie infielder had spent five innings in the dugout with his batting helmet on, awaiting an opportunity.

Williamson made contact on the first pitch, sending a high chopper down the first-base line. The ball struck the chalk seven feet from home plate, took a towering bounce over first baseman Jake Bauers, and landed safely on the outfield grass. Fortes sprinted home from third base, sparking a celebration as Tampa Bay players stormed out of the dugout into foul territory.

Williamson said afterward that every ballplayer envisions being in that exact position with the game on the line. Cash joked that Williamson executed the precise plan the coaching staff drew up, praising the young hitter for remaining prepared through hours of waiting. Drohan took the loss after surrendering four hits and one unearned run without recording an out, conceding later that failing to execute was difficult.

Tampa Bay became the fifth club among twenty-six teams in World Series history to win Game 4 after dropping the first three games. None of the previous four clubs managed to force a Game 6, as all four lost Game 5. Across forty-three best-of-seven postseason series where a team trailed 3-0, only the 2004 Boston Red Sox rallied from that deficit to capture the series.

The Rays bullpen kept the contest competitive across seven scoreless frames before Pratt struck in the twelfth. Griffin Jax started for Tampa Bay, while Dustin May opened for Milwaukee. Seymour earned the win despite yielding Pratt's home run, stranding Jackson Chourio at second base after Chourio collected a two-out double. Chourio reached ten hits in the first four games of the series, matching a World Series record set by Babe Ruth in 1928.

Game 5 will feature Milwaukee attempting to clinch the championship behind starter Freddy Peralta, while Tampa Bay tries to send the series back to Wisconsin. The Rays preserved their season Tuesday through perseverance, turning an impending celebration into another October battle.

Source:

Washington Post Game 4 Report October 28, 2026

MLB.com Game 4 Story October 28, 2026

The Guardian Game 4 Report October 28, 2026

CBC Sports Game 4 Dispatch October 28, 2026