Brewers Fall to Rays After Blowing Late Game 4 Lead

The Brewers were three outs from a World Series championship after rookie Cooper Pratt hit a home run in the 12th inning to put Milwaukee ahead 3-2. But Tampa Bay rallied in the bottom half, scoring twice to win 4-3 and extend the series to a fifth game. It was Milwaukee’s first loss of the postseason after eight straight victories in the playoffs.

Junior Caminero reached on an error, and Liam Hicks followed with a single. Jonny DeLuca tied the game with a base hit, and Chandler Simpson loaded the bases. Ben Williamson then hit a ground ball that bounced over first base and into the outfield, bringing home the winning run.

With Milwaukee’s top relievers already used, manager Pat Murphy turned to Shane Drohan to try to get the final outs. Drohan had made only one appearance since October 15, and all four batters he faced reached safely. Murphy defended the team’s approach, saying the Brewers had to respond to adversity and that he trusted his players.

Murphy confirmed Jacob Misiorowski will start Game 5 in Tampa Bay. The Brewers’ bullpen has been heavily used, and Tampa Bay also needed its pitchers to cover 12 innings in Game 4. Milwaukee can still win the championship with a victory in the next game; a loss would send the series back to Milwaukee for Game 6.