Tampa Bay Rays Stave Off Elimination with 12th-Inning Comeback

In an intense Game 4 of the World Series, Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ben Williamson drove a game-winning RBI single off the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Shane Drohan. The epic moment came during the 12th inning of the clash held on October 28, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays defeated the Brewers with a score of 4-3, forcing Game 5 in the contest.

Crucial 12th Inning Rally

Pinch-hitter Ben Williamson and Jonny DeLuca each delivered singles driving home critical runs in the 12th inning. Their contributions were central to the Rays’ effort to stave off elimination. Earlier, Milwaukee’s Cooper Pratt had hit a tiebreaking home run off pitcher Ian Seymour, marking his fourth hit for the game.

The Rays faced a tricky start in the bottom of the 12th when an error by third baseman Joey Ortiz allowed Junior Caminero to reach base. Reliever Antonio Senzatela’s misstep opened the door for the Rays. Liam Hicks hit a single off rookie pitcher Shane Drohan, setting up DeLuca’s center-field single to bring in Cedric Mullins and tie the game.

Williamson’s Decisive Hit

With the bases loaded, Milwaukee deployed a five-man infield. Despite being 1 for 15 in the postseason, Williamson seized the moment. He hit a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers into right field, clinching victory for the Rays and thrilling the home crowd. Manager Kevin Cash humorously noted, “That was totally what I told him to do.”

The dramatic finish positioned Tampa Bay as the fourth team in World Series history to force a Game 5 after trailing in extra innings. Teams in similar scenarios, including the 1912 Red Sox, 1986 Mets, and 2011 Cardinals, all went on to secure the championship.

Looking Ahead to Game 5

Game 5 is set for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. Jacob Misiorowski, a favorite for the NL Cy Young Award, will start for the Brewers. Rays’ manager Kevin Cash remains undecided on his starting pitcher. Notably, Tampa Bay became just the fifth team among 26 falling 3-0 in the World Series to win Game 4. The previous instances involved losses in Game 5.

Caminero left the field due to a foot injury but asserted his intention to play in Game 5. Cash affirmed Caminero’s commitment, stating he would ensure the star played “on one leg” if necessary. This victory ended an eight-game winning streak for the Brewers, breaking their pursuit to sweep the League Championship Series and the World Series.

Brewers’ Stand and Rays’ Spirit

Brewers captain Christian Yelich expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome challenges, underscoring the difficulty of winning a championship. Brewers’ David Hamilton also contributed with a home run while Jackson Chourio improved his Series performance to 10 for 20.

Earlier in the game, Pratt homered for the Brewers in the 12th and tied the score in the second inning. He debuted in June, becoming the first rookie to hit an extra-inning homer in the World Series. Manager Pat Murphy highlighted Pratt’s consistent performance.

Fans at Tropicana Field, many from Wisconsin, were visible with their yellow towels and cheesehead attire. Notably, the Rays wore their white home jerseys after competing in Devil Rays throwbacks previously. Milwaukee tied the score twice, with contributions from Sal Frelick, who helped regain composure when the Brewers’ rally faltered.