Brewers Edge Rays in World Series Game 1 Thriller After Overturned Double Play

MILWAUKEE (AP) — In a tense ninth inning, Trevor Megill fanned Jonny DeLuca with runners stationed at second and third, allowing the Milwaukee Brewers to hold off the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Friday night's World Series opener.

The strikeout followed a dramatic turn: Tampa Bay's Liam Hicks had initially grounded into what appeared to be a game-ending double play, but the call was reversed after a video review. Replays showed that Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt's right foot was slightly off the bag as he stretched to catch a high throw from second baseman Brice Turang.

"You have a big range of emotions," Milwaukee captain Christian Yelich said. "It's a big credit to Trev for locking back in right there and making some huge pitches after you have that emotional dump and then have to get back on it."

Jacob Misiorowski earned the win, allowing one run on four hits over five innings. "Not perfect, but good enough to get a win," he said.

Yelich sparked a two-run first inning with an RBI triple, putting the Brewers ahead for good and thrilling a sellout crowd enjoying Milwaukee's first World Series game since 1982. Jackson Chourio and William Contreras each contributed two hits, including an RBI single, and Contreras also threw out two would-be base stealers.

This Fall Classic marks the first since 1980—when the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Kansas City Royals in six games—to feature two teams seeking their first championship. The only other major league franchises without a World Series title are the Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners. Historically, the Game 1 winner has gone on to capture the World Series 62.8% of the time.

Tampa Bay, which trailed 3-1 and had not placed a runner on base since the sixth inning, mounted a comeback in the ninth. Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson hit consecutive one-out singles off Megill. A double steal involving pinch-runner Jorge Mateo and Simpson put the potential tying run in scoring position with slugger Junior Caminero at the plate. Caminero walked on a 3-2 pitch in the dirt to load the bases.

Hicks then hit a grounder to the right side, and Turang ranged far to his left to field it before throwing to Pratt to start what was initially ruled a game-ending double play. Fireworks erupted, players streamed onto the field, and Milwaukee fans roared—before the crowd hushed to watch the replay on the videoboard. The review determined that Pratt's right foot came off the bag as he caught Turang's throw. Hicks was still out at first, but the Rays now had runners at second and third with the score 3-2.

"I thought Coop had him, and obviously I was wrong," Misiorowski said. Megill finally closed the deal by striking out DeLuca swinging.

"You just have to lock it back in," Yelich said. "It's the World Series—you have to do what you have to do to make things happen."

By sweeping the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, the Brewers had time to set up their rotation as desired, handing the Game 1 start to Misiorowski, the hard-throwing NL Cy Young Award favorite. Misiorowski opened the game by throwing the fastest pitch ever recorded in a World Series—a 103.5 mph fastball to Yandy Díaz. The right-hander finished with a season-low three strikeouts.

While Milwaukee started its ace, Tampa Bay countered with Nick Martinez to give two-time All-Star pitchers Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta an extra day of rest. Martinez struck out five and allowed two runs over five innings, but a slow start proved costly. Chourio lined a single to right on Martinez's first pitch, and Yelich drove him home with a one-out triple to center. DeLuca covered 85 feet to track down Yelich's drive but just missed a diving catch as the ball glanced off his glove.

Yelich was batting third for the first time since Aug. 3. The three-time All-Star and 2018 NL MVP posted career lows in on-base percentage (.315) and OPS (.692) this season, but he has elevated his play since being named the first team captain in franchise history in the final week of the regular season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the seventh player to triple in his first World Series plate appearance and the first since Kansas City's Lynn Jones in 1985.

Contreras knocked home Yelich with a line-drive single to left that was deflected by shortstop Taylor Walls with the infield playing in.

Tampa Bay got a run back in the fourth. Aranda drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third when Caminero doubled on a one-out liner with a 112.7 mph exit velocity that sailed over center fielder Garrett Mitchell and off his outstretched glove. Aranda came home on Hicks' groundout to the right side.

Milwaukee extended the lead to 3-1 in the seventh. Pratt drew a leadoff walk from Steven Matz and scored from second when Chourio greeted Kevin Kelly with a two-out single. That insurance run proved critical.

"The guys settled in right away and did a great job," Yelich said. "We still have a ways to go, but it's nice to get that first one."

Key Analysis

The Brewers' victory hinged on their ability to withstand a furious ninth-inning rally by the Rays, highlighted by the overturned double play that momentarily silenced the Milwaukee crowd. The decision to start Misiorowski paid off early, as he set a World Series record with a 103.5 mph pitch, though he recorded a season-low three strikeouts. Yelich's first-inning triple not only provided the game's first run but also etched his name in the record books. With the Game 1 win, Milwaukee takes a crucial step toward its first championship, while Tampa Bay looks to rebound in Game 2.

Originally reported by yourvalley_net.