The Milwaukee Brewers overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 and go 2-0 in the 2026 World Series of Major League Baseball. Rookie Cooper Pratt became the hero of the night by driving in the decisive run in the seventh inning, while Venezuelans Jackson Chourio and William Contreras once again stood out in Milwaukee’s offense.
The beer team took advantage of its home status to extend its lead in the Fall Classic and get closer to its first Major League championship. The series will now move to Tampa Bay, where the Rays will try to react in game three, scheduled for Monday.
Milwaukee, which had not played in a World Series since 1982, is going through an extraordinary moment. The Brewers have nine wins in their last ten postseason games and have accumulated seven consecutive wins, after eliminating the Los Angeles Dodgers, current two-time champions, with a 4-0 sweep.
The Rays struck first, but Milwaukee reacted
Tampa Bay surprised with an explosive first inning in which they scored four runs. A defensive error by Pratt allowed Yandy Díaz to reach base, before Chandler Simpson singled to open the scoring. Later, the Dominican Junior Caminero drove in another run and the Canadian Liam Hicks punished the local pitching with a two-run home run.
However, the Rays’ lead quickly faded. Chourio singled and Contreras brought him home to start Milwaukee’s response. Jake Bauers also helped close the gap before both teams stabilized their shooting and defense.
The Brewers got closer again thanks to an error by Mexican Jonathan Aranda at second base, which allowed another run. Later, Sal Frelick hit a solo home run to tie the game and ignite the more than 43,000 fans present at American Family Field.
The outcome came in the seventh inning, when Pratt hit the single that allowed Brice Turang, located at third base, to score the winning run. The 22-year-old shortstop thus vindicated himself after the mistake made at the beginning of the game.
Chourio and Contreras lead Milwaukee
The Venezuelans were once again protagonists in the Brewers’ offense. Contreras finished with two hits and an RBI, to reach 15 hits in the postseason and become the leader in that department.
Chourio, for his part, contributed two hits and stole two bases in another outstanding performance. At 22 years old, the outfielder continues to establish himself as one of Milwaukee’s main figures on its path to the championship.
The collective performance explains the Brewers’ ability to react, who have won six of the seven games this postseason in which they started from behind on the scoreboard.
«We have a very competitive team. We like to compete, we don’t give up,” said Chourio after the match.
Pratt also highlighted the team’s confidence in staying in the fight until the last moment. «We are never away. And as long as there are innings left to play, we still have a chance,” said the rookie.
Tampa Bay looks for a reaction at home
The Rays will have to find answers to prevent Milwaukee from getting even closer to the title. The Florida franchise, which has figures like Díaz, Caminero and Aranda, failed to capitalize on its explosive start and barely produced an additional RBI after the first inning.
Manager Kevin Cash is confident that returning home will allow him to change the dynamic of the series and find the necessary support from his fans.
«There is a lot of confidence in this team to respond. “They have done it all season and will continue to do so,” said Cash, who also asked Tampa Bay fans to create an environment that helps the team recover.
History works against the Rays: overcoming a 0-2 deficit in the World Series is a task that very few teams have achieved. Milwaukee, on the other hand, has the opportunity to get closer to a historic conquest and end more than four decades of waiting since its previous participation in the final.
With Chourio and Contreras in great shape, an offense capable of overturning any score and a rookie who responded in the decisive moment, the Brewers will travel to Tampa Bay with the confidence of being closer and closer to their first World Series title.
