upi
In a dramatic turn of events at American Family Field on Saturday, the Milwaukee Brewers overcame an early four-run deficit to secure a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the World Series. The win gives Milwaukee a 2-0 series advantage and places the team just two wins shy of its first-ever World Series title.
Trailing 4-0 after the first inning, the Brewers chipped away at the lead, relying on a stout bullpen and timely hitting. Sal Frelick's solo home run in the sixth inning tied the game, and Cooper Pratt's go-ahead single in the seventh completed the comeback. It marked Milwaukee's seventh comeback win of the postseason.
"Regardless of if we are down or up, that chip-away mentality is just how our offense is designed," Frelick said during a Fox broadcast interview.
The Rays initially seized momentum with a four-run first inning. Chandler Simpson drove in Yandy Diaz for the game's first run, and Junior Caminero followed with an RBI single. Liam Hicks then launched a two-run homer to cap the scoring. However, Milwaukee's pitchers shut the door from there, allowing no further runs.
The Brewers responded in the bottom of the first with RBI singles from William Contreras and Garrett Mitchell off Rays starter Drew Rasmussen. An error in the fourth allowed Pratt to score, cutting the deficit to 4-3. Frelick's 408-foot homer off reliever Ian Seymour in the sixth tied it, and Pratt's single off Tyler Wells in the seventh put Milwaukee ahead for good.
Milwaukee's bullpen was stellar, with JoJo Romero, Dustin May, DL Hall, Abner Uribe, and Aaron Ashby combining to allow just four hits and no runs over the final six innings. Ashby sealed the win by striking out Diaz with a runner on base in the ninth.
"As long as there's game left, we have a chance," Pratt said. "I think we've all bought into that."
"It was just about making pitches," Ashby added.
Brewers starter Logan Henderson struggled early, surrendering four runs (three earned) on three hits over three innings. Rasmussen allowed three runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay.
Frelick, Contreras, and Jackson Chourio each had two hits for Milwaukee, while Jonny DeLuca was the only Rays player with multiple hits, going 2 for 4.
The series now shifts to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Game 3 on Monday at 8 p.m. EDT, with the Rays hosting the Brewers. Game 4 is scheduled for the same time on Tuesday.
Originally reported by upi.