Tampa Bay Rays Walk Off Brewers in 12 Innings to Stay Alive in World Series

World Series Game Four Extra Innings Thriller

The Tampa Bay Rays refused to let their season end Tuesday night, rallying for a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in 12 innings in Game 4 of the World Series at Tropicana Field. Ben Williamson delivered the game winning RBI in the bottom of the 12th inning, giving Tampa Bay a much needed victory and cutting Milwaukee’s series lead to 3-1.

The Rays faced elimination after suffering a 10-1 defeat in Game 3, but they responded with a marathon performance that tested the depth of their roster, the endurance of their bullpen and the resilience of a team determined to keep its championship hopes alive. Tampa Bay needed 21 players, including seven pitchers, to outlast the Brewers in a contest that stretched past midnight.

Williamson, who had recorded just one hit during the postseason before his decisive plate appearance, became the unlikely hero when Rays manager Kevin Cash called on him to pinch-hit with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the 12th inning.

Williamson Delivers the Game Winning Hit

The decisive moment came shortly after Milwaukee appeared poised to move within three outs of its first World Series championship in franchise history. Cooper Pratt had launched a home run in the top of the 12th inning to give the Brewers a 3-2 lead, putting the pressure squarely on Tampa Bay.

The Rays answered when Jonny DeLuca delivered an RBI single to tie the game, ending a scoring drought that had lasted since the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and the winning run 90 feet away, Cash turned to Williamson, who was pinch hitting for Victor Mesa Jr. Williamson wasted little time. He jumped on the first pitch from Milwaukee left-hander Shane Drohan, a 96 mph sinker on the outside corner, and bounced it down the first-base line.

The ball struck the hard infield surface and ricocheted into shallow right field, allowing Nick Fortes to score from third base with the winning run. As the ball landed safely, the Rays poured out of their dugout to celebrate a victory that kept their season alive. Williamson’s unconventional game winning hit provided Tampa Bay with a lifeline and ensured the World Series would continue for at least one more game.

Rays Empty Bullpen to Survive Elimination

Cash used nearly every available option to guide Tampa Bay through the extra-inning battle. Griffin Jax, the Rays’ No. 4 starter, opened the game against a Milwaukee bullpen effort, while Game 1 starter Martinez remained available in the bullpen as a potential weapon. Ideally, Martinez would have spent the evening preparing for a scheduled start in Game 5. Instead, the Rays needed him to help secure the opportunity to play another day.

Summoned in the sixth inning, Martinez delivered two scoreless frames to keep Tampa Bay within striking distance. All-Star closer Bryan Baker also made an unusual contribution, working two innings for the first time in 2026. The Rays continued cycling through their available arms as the game extended into the late innings, with Cash aggressively managing every matchup in a win-or-go-home situation. The strategy reflected the urgency of the moment. Tampa Bay could not afford to save pitchers for another game if it failed to survive Tuesday night.

Pratt’s Home Run Nearly Seals Brewers’ Championship

Milwaukee appeared on the verge of celebrating a historic victory when Pratt connected for a go ahead home run in the top of the 12th. The blast was his fourth hit of the game and sent the Brewers’ dugout into a celebration, with the team just three outs away from its first championship. However, Tampa Bay refused to fold.

The Rays took advantage of an error by Milwaukee’s Ortiz to create the opening they desperately needed, setting the stage for DeLuca’s tying single and Williamson’s walk off grounder into shallow right field. What had looked like a crushing defeat for Tampa Bay quickly transformed into one of the franchise’s most memorable postseason victories. The win also marked the Rays’ first World Series victory at Tropicana Field since 2008.

Game 5 Looms as Rays Face Pitching Decisions

The victory guarantees the Rays another opportunity to extend their season, but it leaves Cash with difficult decisions as Tampa Bay prepares for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Martinez was used in relief despite his role as the Game 1 starter, while the bullpen was pushed through 12 demanding innings. The Rays must determine how to manage their remaining pitching options while attempting to build on the momentum of their dramatic comeback.

Drew Rasmussen, Tampa Bay’s Game 2 starter and a potential Game 6 starter, said he expects to be available. His availability could provide Cash with an important option, although the team’s complete pitching plan for Game 5 remains uncertain. Milwaukee, meanwhile, will have to regroup after coming within three outs of a championship before seeing its opportunity slip away.

The Brewers still hold a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and need just one more victory to secure the franchise’s first World Series title. Tampa Bay, however, has bought itself another night and a chance to make the series more competitive. After surviving 12 tense innings and staring elimination in the face, the Rays have momentum and another opportunity. Their championship hopes remain fragile, but Williamson’s unlikely heroics have ensured that the World Series is not over yet.