The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 in 12 innings in the fourth game of the 2026 World Series, played at Tropicana Field, and avoided elimination thanks to a decisive single by Ben Williamson with the bases loaded. Milwaukee maintains a 3-1 lead in the series and will look to win the title in Game 5.
Tampa Bay refused to say goodbye to the season with a dramatic victory that kept its World Series comeback aspirations alive. Williamson became the hero of the night by hitting the hit that drove in the winning run in the bottom of the twelfth inning.
The Brewers had taken the lead in that inning with a home run by Cooper Pratt, which seemed to bring Milwaukee definitively closer to the championship. However, the Rays responded with a comeback that ignited the fans at Tropicana Field.
Junior Caminero started the reaction by reaching first base thanks to an error in Joey Ortiz’s throw. Although the Dominican showed physical discomfort after the play, he remained in the game and advanced to third on a single by Liam Hicks, before being replaced by a pinch-runner.
Jonny DeLuca tied the score with an RBI single and Chandler Simpson had his third hit of the night to load the bases. With a chance to decide the game, Williamson pinch-hit for Victor Mesa Jr. and hit the first pitch to right field to seal the victory.
«It’s what you dream of when you grow up. You play Wiffle ball in the backyard with your friends and imagine getting a hit to knock out your opponent in the World Series,” Williamson said after the game.
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash highlighted the reaction capacity of his players, who did not give up despite finding themselves back against the ropes.
“It seemed like, after being down 3-2 in the twelfth inning, no one came into the dugout with their heads down,” the manager said.
The Rays seek a historic comeback
With the victory, Tampa Bay reduced the pressure of immediate elimination, although it still needs to win three consecutive games to win the championship. Game 5 will be played this Wednesday, again with the Rays at home, before the series can return to Milwaukee.
Nick Martínez, who was scheduled to start Game 5, worked two scoreless innings in relief and expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to complete the comeback.
History, however, works against Tampa Bay. The 2004 Boston Red Sox are the only major league team to come back from an 0-3 deficit in a playoff series. No franchise has accomplished that feat in a World Series.
Milwaukee retains control of the series
The loss was only the Brewers’ second in the 2026 playoffs. The Milwaukee team will have another chance to close the series in Game 5, for which it announced ace Jacob Misiorowski as the starter.
Jackson Chourio once again stood out offensively despite the setback, finishing 2-for-6. The 22-year-old Venezuelan outfielder has 10 hits in the first four games of this World Series, equaling Babe Ruth’s record established in 1928 for that instance.
For his part, Cooper Pratt finished 4 for 5, with two RBIs, including the home run that put Milwaukee ahead in the top of the twelfth inning.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy acknowledged that his team will have to face the pressure of closing a series against an opponent that has shown its strength throughout the season.
«We know it will be difficult. You’re playing against the best team in the American League. “They showed it all year and today they responded at an important moment,” Murphy said.
Milwaukee remains one victory away from the title, but Tampa Bay has managed to prolong the battle. Game 5 will determine whether the Brewers celebrate the championship or whether the Rays take another step toward a comeback that could go down in Major League history.
