Rays Defeat Brewers in 12 Innings to Avoid Sweep

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash told his team on Tuesday night that they would need every player to contribute to survive. The Rays proved that point correct when they defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings at Tropicana Field. The victory staved off elimination in the World Series, though Milwaukee still leads the best-of-seven matchup 3-1.

The game remained tight until the final moments. Cooper Pratt, a 22-year-old rookie, hit a tiebreaking home run off Ian Seymour in the top of the 12th inning. It was Pratt's fourth hit of the game. He had also tied the score earlier with an RBI double in the second inning. Milwaukee fans, many waving yellow towels, cheered as Pratt became the first rookie to hit an extra-inning homer in the World Series.

The Rays answered in the bottom of the 12th after a throwing error by Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz. Junior Caminero's leadoff grounder was mishandled by reliever Antonio Senzatela, allowing Caminero to reach base. Cedric Mullins replaced Caminero at third base after the slugger hobbled off with a left foot injury. Mullins scored on a single by Jonny DeLuca to tie the game at 3-3. DeLuca's hit drove in Mullins, who had entered the game as a pinch-runner.

Pinch-hitter Ben Williamson closed out the game with a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers into right field. The hit brought in Nick Fortes, who was pinch-running for Liam Hicks. Williamson had been 1-for-15 in the postseason before this hit. He said he was trying to put the ball in play against Shane Drohan, who had been attacking him earlier in the Series.

Tampa Bay became the fifth of 26 teams in World Series history to win Game 4 after falling behind 3-0. The previous four teams lost Game 5. Cash said the team must maintain a short memory and compete in the moment. The Rays end an eight-game winning streak for Milwaukee, which advanced by eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games.

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay will try to become the first World Series team to force a Game 6 after starting the series with a 3-0 deficit. Caminero said he will play despite his foot injury. Cash confirmed the slugger would play on one leg if necessary.

Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby broke Andrew Miller's record for scoreless innings by a reliever in one postseason. Ashby pitched a 1-2-3 ninth and a perfect 10th inning. He retired the first batter in the 11th and left the game having allowed no runs in 18 innings over nine postseason appearances.