Ben Williamson Keeps Tampa Bay Alive With 12th-Inning Heroics
Tampa Bay avoided postseason elimination Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, securing a 4-3 victory in a 12th-inning rally against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the World Series.
The Rays entered the 12th inning trailing by a run after rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt launched a solo home run in the top frame off reliever Ian Seymour. Facing a 3-2 deficit and sitting just three outs away from a Brewers sweep, the Tampa Bay offense mounted a cinematic counterpunch.
Had to bring out the ultimate hype man @Brett_Phillips8 ✈️#ForTampaBay | #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/CxYggrO8FT
Late-Inning Rallies and the Baltimore Chop That Won It
With two runners aboard against Brewers pitcher Shane Drohan in the 12th, Jonny DeLuca laced a single to drive in the tying run. Chandler Simpson followed with another single to load the bases for pinch-hitter Ben Williamson. Williamson delivered the decisive blow by stroking a high bouncer—a textbook Baltimore chop—into right field, allowing pinch-runner Nick Fortes to cross the plate with the winning run.
The victory keeps the Rays afloat in a series where they had struggled across the first three games. Before Game 4, Tampa Bay president of baseball operations Erik Neander outlined the team’s singular focus to the roster.
World Series correspondent Ernie Clement catches up with Richie Palacios after an unbelievable Rays victory in Game 4! pic.twitter.com/920SIsRRpt
“Win an inning,” Neander said before Game 4.
The Rays responded immediately in the second inning when a double by Simpson allowed DeLuca to score from first base for a 1-0 lead. Milwaukee answered in the fourth when Pratt hit an RBI double to score Sal Frelick and tie the game at 1.
Tampa Bay reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth through defensive miscues by Brewers third baseman David Hamilton, who missed a tag on Junior Caminero and subsequently threw wildly to first, allowing Caminero to score. Hamilton quickly atoned in the fifth by launching a solo home run to right field off Rays starter Nick Martinez, knotting the score at 2.
Relievers Extend Postseason Scoreless Streaks Under Pressure
Both bullpens traded scoreless innings under high pressure into extra innings. Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby extended his postseason scoreless streak to 18 relief innings, surpassing Andrew Miller’s 2016 record of 16. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay deployed a relentless succession of pitchers, including Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells, and Cam Booser, to hold the line against Milwaukee’s offense.
Though Pratt’s 12th-inning blast put the Brewers on the brink of their first franchise title and a historic nine-game postseason win streak, Seymour rebounded to retire Jake Bauers and keep the deficit at one run, setting the stage for the dramatic bottom of the inning.
World Series Game 4 between the Brewers and Rays ended in EPIC fashion 👀(MLB x @Nutrafol @NutrafolMen) pic.twitter.com/jJ7HDE5yLA
What Happens Next
The series continues Wednesday at Tropicana Field for the Rays’ final home game of the 2026 season. Tampa Bay will attempt to force a return trip to Milwaukee and extend the Fall Classic further.
Disclaimer: The analytical insights and data provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.
