Rays Escape Elimination With 12th-Inning Home Run

40,514 fans watched the Tampa Bay Rays avoid World Series elimination on Tuesday night when Ben Williamson hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 4-3 victory at Tropicana Field forced a Game 5 and ended Milwaukee's eight-game winning streak.

The Rays trailed by three runs entering the final frame. Cooper Pratt had tied the score earlier with a home run off Ian Seymour in the top of the 12th. That was Pratt's fourth hit of the game. Milwaukee had been one out away from their first World Series title and a sweep of the series.

The rally began with an error. Joey Ortiz, playing third base for Milwaukee, bobbled a grounder from Junior Caminero while facing reliever Antonio Senzatela. Caminero reached base safely. Liam Hicks then singled off rookie left-hander Shane Drohan. Jonny DeLuca followed with a single to center field that drove in pinch-runner Cedric Mullins to tie the game at 3.

With the bases loaded, Milwaukee shifted to a five-man infield. Chandler Simpson singled to load the bases again. Williamson, who was 1-for-15 in the postseason, batted for Victor Mesa Jr. He hit a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers into right field to win the game.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said he instructed Williamson to swing hard. Cash told reporters, "That was totally what I told him to do." Williamson noted the team's focus on resilience. He said, "We continue to fight, and that's been the motto this series and this full season, is just fight."

Tampa Bay became the fourth team in World Series history to avoid elimination with an extra-inning comeback, according to OptaSTATS. The previous three teams, the 1912 Red Sox, 1986 Mets, and 2011 Cardinals, all went on to win the championship. Tampa Bay is the fifth of 26 teams to win Game 4 after falling behind 3-0 in the World Series.

Caminero left the game with an injury to his left foot but said he will play in Game 5. Cash confirmed the decision, saying, "He'll play tomorrow on one leg. I'll make sure of it." Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy praised rookie Cooper Pratt, who hit his first extra-inning home run in World Series history. Murphy said, "This kid responds to everything."

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. Jacob Misiorowski is set to start for the Brewers. Cash has not announced a starter for Tampa Bay. The Rays wore white home jerseys, having previously played in Devil Rays throwbacks.