Cooper Pratt hits 12th-inning homer to put Brewers one win from title
The Milwaukee Brewers lead the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 4, needing just three outs to claim their first championship.
By Maya Morris ·
Cooper Pratt drove in the go-ahead run with a home run in the 12th inning, putting the Milwaukee Brewers three outs away from their first World Series title. The Brewers lead the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in the bottom of the 12th inning at Tropicana Field.
Pratt collected his fourth hit of the game off Rays pitcher Ian Seymour. The ball traveled to left-center field, extending Milwaukee’s lead and keeping the championship celebration within reach for the home team.
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash sent pinch runner Jorge Mateo to the plate for Yandy Diaz in the 11th inning. Mateo stole second base to position the go-ahead run in scoring position, but the Rays failed to score. Jonathan Aranda flew out, forcing the game into extra innings.
The Rays face a historic hurdle in Game 4. Twenty-five previous teams have fallen behind 0-3 in a World Series, and none have completed the comeback. Of the 25 teams that held a 3-0 lead, 21 went on to win Game 4 and sweep the series. The Brewers aim to join that group of 21.
Aaron Ashby tied Andrew Miller’s record for scoreless innings in October by retiring Jonathan Aranda with a strikeout in the ninth inning. He then recorded ground outs by Junior Caminero and Liam Hicks to set a new record. The Brewers’ bullpen has posted a 1.34 ERA this postseason, giving manager Pat Murphy confidence in his relief corps.
The game has been tight since the third inning. David Hamilton tied the score at 2-2 with a home run off Rays starter Griffin Jax. In the sixth inning, Nick Martinez, the Rays’ scheduled Game 5 starter, entered the game and retired the Brewers. The series has featured multiple extra-inning games, with both teams exchanging the lead repeatedly.
The Rays’ defense provided a key moment in the seventh inning. Brice Turang caught a 108.1 mph line drive hit by Jonathan Aranda, doubling off Yandy Diaz at first base. The play prevented Tampa Bay from gaining momentum and kept the score at 2-2 heading into the final frames.
Source: CNN
