Rays rally in 12th to beat Brewers and avoid elimination in World Series

Tampa Bay Rays fans at Tropicana Field watched their team escape an elimination spot in the 2026 World Series on Tuesday night. Trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by one run in the bottom of the 12th inning, the Rays recorded four consecutive hits to take a 4-3 victory.

The win snaps a three-game losing streak and keeps Tampa Bay alive in the series, though historical odds remain steep. No team in the previous 25 World Series to start with three consecutive losses has forced a Game 6. Despite the statistical disadvantage, the Rays credited their bullpen for changing the momentum.

Manager Kevin Cash utilized 21 of the 26 players on his roster for the game. This deep usage included every position player on the team. The strategy became necessary after starter Griffin Jax exited the game following a home run to the first batter of the fifth inning. Rays relievers then threw six innings of shutout baseball before the extra-inning drama began.

Left-hander Ian Seymour entered the 12th inning with the score tied. He worked a 2-2 count against Cooper Pratt before an 83-mph sweeper missed the corner. Pratt hit the pitch to leftfield for a home run, putting the Rays in the lead. Television cameras immediately moved to the visitor’s clubhouse as plastic tarps went down in anticipation of a Milwaukee celebration, but the Rays answered quickly.

"Fortunately, the boys had my back," Seymour said. "That’s the kind of team this is." He acknowledged the tension of the moment, especially after a blown save in Game 2. The team’s resilience was a theme discussed by players in the postgame locker room.

Reliever Kevin Kelly, who pitched one shutout inning after Jax, said the close scores of the series felt like flipping a coin. "It was good to show people who we are," Kelly said. "Who we really are." Shortstop Taylor Walls noted that the team was down to their last three outs in the final at-bat. "The guys were pretty motivated," Walls said.

Looking ahead to Game 5 on Wednesday, pitching decisions remain unsettled. Steven Matz, Cole Sulser, and Garrett Cleavinger did not pitch on Tuesday. Starting pitcher Nick Martinez, who threw two shutout relief innings Tuesday, said he is ready if needed. "I’m going to pitch," Martinez said. "If they need me." Closer Bryan Baker, who threw two innings in his first such appearance of the season, said he feels physically ready for consecutive outings.