The Milwaukee Brewers overcame an early four-run deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Saturday night, taking a 2-0 lead in the World Series. The victory marked the Brewers’ seventh comeback win of the postseason and their second time rallying from a four-run shortfall, following a similar comeback against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.
The game, held at Milwaukee’s home ballpark, saw the Rays jump to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, producing the highest-scoring World Series opening frame since 1993. Tampa Bay’s offense, which had played a key role in securing the American League pennant by capitalizing on opponents’ errors and misplays, benefited early from aggressive play and pitching from rookie Logan Henderson. Henderson, making his first World Series start after debuting in 2025, gave up four runs (three earned) in three innings but improved his personal record to 13-0 in starts.
Milwaukee began its comeback with two runs in the bottom of the first against Tampa Bay’s ace Drew Rasmussen, who lasted just over three innings, his shortest start since July 9. David Hamilton narrowed the gap with a run-scoring groundout in the fourth inning. The Brewers tied the game in the sixth when Sal Frelick, a former Boston College star and Lexington native, connected for his first home run in three months, driving a fastball over the center field fence after a lengthy nine-pitch at-bat against Westborough native Ian Seymour.
Frelick, who had not hit a home run against a left-handed pitcher since early in the season, sprinted around the bases in a brisk 18.72 seconds, a notable contrast to some of the slower celebrations seen this postseason. “I was just pumped to try to get back to the dugout,” Frelick said after the game.
The go-ahead run came in the seventh inning when 22-year-old Cooper Pratt delivered a single to right field off reliever Kevin Kelly. Pratt, who debuted in June, scored Brice Turang, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Despite committing his fourth postseason error and the Brewers marking nine errors in their last 10 games, Pratt emphasized the team’s resilience. “As long as there’s game left, we have a chance,” he said.
Abner Uribe recorded 1⅓ hitless innings to earn the win for Milwaukee. In the ninth, Aaron Ashby closed out the game, securing his third postseason save without allowing a run. Tampa Bay’s offense struggled to regain momentum, with pinch-hitter Ben Williamson advancing a runner before subsequent strikeouts ended the threat.
The Brewers’ victory extended their postseason winning streak to seven games and placed them in a strong position, with 46 of 57 teams that held a 2-0 World Series lead going on to win the championship. The upcoming Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, where the Brewers last played in 2023. Both teams are seeking their first World Series title.