Rays survive 12th inning to force Game 5 in World Series

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash had to use 21 position players and seven pitchers to secure a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night. The win forces a Game 5 and gives the Rays another chance to compete for the title.

The game featured a tense pitching battle that extended into the 12th inning. Milwaukee took a 3-2 lead in the top half when Cooper Pratt hit a home run. That home run would have given the Brewers their first championship in franchise history if they had closed out the inning.

In the bottom of the 12th, Jonny DeLuca hit a single to tie the score at 2. With the bases loaded and no outs, Cash sent Ben Williamson to pinch hit for Victor Mesa Jr. Williamson had waited in the dugout for most of the game, stating he felt ready to bat since the fourth or fifth inning.

Williamson hit the first pitch, a 96 mph sinker from Shane Drohan, into shallow right field. The ball bounced near first base and rolled in to score Nick Fortes from third. The hit gave the Rays their first World Series win at Tropicana Field since 2008.

The rally began with a defensive error. Junior Caminero hit a ground ball that Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz misfielded. Caminero reached third base on the error and a subsequent single by Liam Hicks. Caminero aggravated a left foot injury during the play and limped off the field for Cedric Mullins to pinch run.

Caminero said he is 100% and will play in Game 5, noting that he has been dealing with foot issues for about three months. He said he will play even if his foot is broken. The Rays will face the Brewers again on Wednesday night for Game 5.

Drew Rasmussen, who started Game 2, said he expects to be available for the series. Cash used Nick Martinez out of the bullpen in the sixth inning, and Bryan Baker logged his first two-inning game of the 2026 season. The Rays will need to decide on a starting pitcher for Wednesday.