Brewers Rally From Four-Run Deficit to Beat Rays 5-4, Take 2-0 World Series Lead

Milwaukee Brewers Rally to Win Game 2

The Milwaukee Brewers continued their remarkable postseason run Saturday night, overcoming an early four run deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Game 2 of the World Series and move within two victories of their first championship in franchise history.

Sal Frelick tied the game with his first home run in more than three months, and Cooper Pratt delivered the go ahead single in the seventh inning to complete Milwaukee’s comeback. The Brewers have now won seven consecutive games and improved to nine victories in the postseason, with seven of those wins coming after overcoming a deficit.

Milwaukee once again demonstrated its resilience after falling behind 4-0 in the first inning. The Brewers erased an identical deficit in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning 6-4 to complete a four game sweep. The Brewers became the fifth team to overcome multiple four run deficits for victories in a single postseason, the first to accomplish the feat since the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022.

After winning Friday’s opener 3-2, Milwaukee now leads the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, as the Rays attempt to respond on their home field. Of the 57 teams that previously took a 2-0 lead in the World Series, 46 went on to win the championship.

Rays Strike Early Against Brewers Rookie

Tampa Bay wasted little time building an early advantage against Milwaukee rookie Logan Henderson, who struggled to contain the Rays’ offense in the opening inning. Pratt committed his fourth error of the postseason at shortstop, extending Milwaukee’s defensive difficulties. His errant throw sailed past first baseman Jake Bauers on a leadoff grounder by Yandy Díaz, marking the Brewers’ ninth error in their last 10 games.

Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminero followed with RBI singles before Liam Hicks launched a two run home run to give Tampa Bay a commanding 4-0 lead. The Rays appeared poised to even the series, but Milwaukee began chipping away at the deficit in the bottom of the first against Tampa Bay ace Drew Rasmussen.

Jackson Chourio and Bauers opened the inning with singles. After Isaac Collins made an out, William Contreras benefited from a defensive miscue when first baseman Jonathan Aranda failed to secure a foul pop near the protective netting in front of the seats.

With Bauers running on a full count pitch, Contreras lined an RBI single to the left of second baseman Richie Palacios, who had moved toward the bag. Garrett Mitchell followed with a two-out single to bring Milwaukee within 4-2. The four-run opening inning was the highest-scoring first inning in a World Series game since Game 4 in 1993.

Brewers Chip Away as Rays Struggle Defensively

Milwaukee continued to capitalize on Tampa Bay’s defensive mistakes as the game progressed. In the fourth inning, Hamilton hit a ground ball that bounced between Aranda’s legs, allowing another run to score and cutting the Rays’ lead to 4-3.

Tampa Bay’s defensive problems extended beyond Aranda. Left fielder Simpson dropped a fly ball, while Hicks, a slow footed catcher, was thrown out at home by Brewers left fielder Chourio on another scoring opportunity. The Rays’ mistakes gave Milwaukee additional opportunities to stay within striking distance, setting the stage for Frelick’s pivotal moment in the sixth inning.

Frelick Ends Home Run Drought to Tie Game

Frelick delivered the game’s defining swing in the sixth, capping a nine-pitch at-bat against Tampa Bay left hander Ian Seymour by driving a fastball over the center-field fence for a solo home run that tied the score at 4-4. The homer ended a lengthy drought for the Brewers outfielder, who had gone 103 plate appearances without a home run since connecting against Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft on July 11.

Frelick also had not homered against a left handed pitcher since Opening Day, when he went deep against Tyler Gilbert of the Chicago White Sox. The 5-foot-9 Frelick, batting eighth in Milwaukee’s lineup, wasted little time celebrating as he circled the bases in 18.72 seconds.

His home run also prompted Bernie Brewer, Milwaukee’s mascot, to slide down his 75-foot slide beyond the left field fence for the first time in World Series history. One of the 12-year-old Wisconsin kid reporters covering the series brought the historic mascot moment to Frelick’s attention after the game.

Pratt Delivers Redemption With Go Ahead Hit

Pratt, whose early throwing error helped fuel Tampa Bay’s four-run first inning, made up for his defensive mistake with a clutch hit in the seventh. Brice Turang opened the bottom of the inning with a double against reliever Tyler Wells. Mitchell followed with a deep fly ball to right field, allowing Turang to advance to third.

With Milwaukee threatening to take the lead, Pratt lined a 2-2 sinker from Kevin Kelly into shallow right field, bringing Turang home and giving the Brewers a 5-4 advantage. The hit completed Milwaukee’s comeback and provided a measure of redemption for the young shortstop, whose early mistake had helped put the Brewers in a difficult position.

Brewers Bullpen Closes Out Game 2

Milwaukee’s bullpen protected the one-run lead over the final innings, with Abner Uribe earning the victory after pitching 1 1/3 hitless innings. The Rays had one final opportunity to extend the game in the ninth. Jonny DeLuca opened the inning with a double, putting the potential tying run in scoring position and increasing the pressure on Milwaukee’s relievers.

Aaron Ashby ultimately ended the threat by striking out Díaz on a checked swing, stranding DeLuca at third base and securing the 5-4 victory. The Brewers celebrated another postseason comeback, while Tampa Bay was left to consider the defensive mistakes and missed opportunities that contributed to its second consecutive loss.

Brewers Move Two Wins From First World Series Title

Milwaukee’s victory puts the Brewers in a commanding position as the series shifts to Tampa Bay for Game 3 on Monday night. The Brewers have demonstrated an ability to recover from significant deficits throughout October, and their latest comeback showcased contributions from players who have received less attention during the postseason.

Manager Pat Murphy has affectionately referred to some of his underappreciated players as the team’s orange Life Savers. Frelick and Pratt lived up to the nickname Saturday, combining for the game-tying home run and go ahead hit that put Milwaukee two wins away from its first World Series championship.

The Rays, meanwhile, must regroup at home after surrendering an early four-run lead for the second time in the series. With history on their side and a seven game winning streak behind them, the Brewers will look to carry their momentum into Game 3 and move closer to completing a championship run that has already featured multiple dramatic comebacks.