MILWAUKEE — Trevor Megill secured a tense 3-2 victory for the Milwaukee Brewers over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, striking out Jonny DeLuca with runners on second and third to escape a ninth-inning threat.

The Brewers appeared poised to finish the game when Tampa Bay’s Liam Hicks grounded into a double play, but a video review overturned the call. Replays showed Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt’s right foot was slightly off the bag as he caught a high throw from second baseman Brice Turang, nullifying the double play. While Hicks was out at first, the Rays were left with runners on second and third and the game still in jeopardy.

“I thought Coop had him, and obviously I was wrong,” Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski acknowledged. Megill then regained composure to strike out DeLuca and end the rally. Milwaukee captain Christian Yelich praised Megill’s resilience in the high-pressure situation, saying it was a credit to him for refocusing after the emotional swing.

Misiorowski, making his first World Series start, pitched five innings, yielding one run and four hits while striking out three. He opened the game by throwing the fastest pitch in World Series history at 103.5 mph. The Brewers had defeated the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, allowing them to set their rotation strategically for the Fall Classic.

Yelich ignited Milwaukee’s offense early with an RBI triple in the first inning, sparking a two-run rally that gave the Brewers a lead they would hold. This marked Milwaukee’s first World Series game since 1982, drawing a sellout crowd eager to witness the team’s bid for its first championship. Jackson Chourio and William Contreras each added two hits, with Contreras also throwing out two potential base stealers.

Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez earned five strikeouts and gave up two runs over five innings but struggled early, allowing Chourio’s single to right field and Yelich’s triple that scored the game’s first run. The Rays fell behind 3-1 and struggled to mount an offense until the ninth, when Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson hit consecutive singles, followed by a double steal that put the tying run in scoring position. Junior Caminero then walked, loading the bases before Hicks’ grounder.

This World Series features two teams pursuing their first championship, a rarity last seen in 1980. The winner of Game 1 has historically gone on to win the series about 63% of the time, adding significance to Milwaukee’s hard-fought victory.

The Brewers and Rays will meet again in Game 2 as both teams aim to build momentum early in the Fall Classic.