THE SPORTS DESK
Ben Williamson delivers a walk-off single as Tampa Bay defeats Milwaukee 4-3 in 12 innings, avoiding a World Series sweep and giving Central Florida baseball fans another reason to believe.
By Javier Santamaría
Sports Editor
The Sun Post News
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | Central Florida
One Swing Away From Elimination, Tampa Bay Finds a Way to Survive
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Just when the Tampa Bay Rays appeared destined to watch the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate a World Series championship on their home field, baseball delivered an extraordinary reversal.
Facing elimination and trailing in the bottom of the 12th inning, Tampa Bay rallied for two runs Tuesday night to defeat Milwaukee 4-3 in Game 4 of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field.
The unlikely hero was Ben Williamson.
Entering the game with just one hit in 15 postseason at-bats, Williamson stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and delivered the game-winning single that sent the Rays’ dugout pouring onto the field.
The victory prevented Milwaukee from completing a four-game sweep, snapped the Brewers’ eight-game winning streak and guaranteed that the World Series would continue Wednesday night.
Milwaukee still holds a commanding 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven championship.
But for the first time in the series, Tampa Bay has momentum.
The Rays are still facing elimination.
They still need three consecutive victories to accomplish something no team has ever achieved in World Series history.
Yet Tuesday’s dramatic comeback proved that Milwaukee is not invincible.
And for baseball fans throughout Central Florida, that realization was enough to keep hope alive.
Twelve Innings of Tension and a Remarkable Finish
Game 4 developed into a battle of pitching, defensive execution and resilience.
Tampa Bay opened the scoring in the second inning when Chandler Simpson delivered an RBI double that brought Jonny DeLuca home.
The Rays took an early 1-0 lead, providing a much-needed spark after Monday’s devastating 10-1 defeat.
Milwaukee answered in the fourth inning.
Cooper Pratt connected for an RBI double, tying the game 1-1.
Tampa Bay regained the advantage in the bottom half of the inning.
Dominican third baseman Junior Caminero opened with a single and eventually scored following a Milwaukee defensive mistake.
The Rays moved ahead 2-1.
But the Brewers responded again.
David Hamilton hit a solo home run to tie the game 2-2, setting the stage for a prolonged battle between the teams’ bullpens.
Neither offense could deliver the decisive hit during regulation.
Both clubs escaped dangerous situations.
Relievers repeatedly recorded important outs, extending the contest deep into extra innings.
Then came the 12th inning.
And with it, one of the most dramatic finishes in Rays postseason history.
Cooper Pratt Puts Milwaukee Three Outs Away From a Championship
In the top of the 12th inning, Milwaukee shortstop Cooper Pratt delivered what appeared to be the defining hit of the World Series.
Facing Tampa Bay reliever Ian Seymour, Pratt launched a solo home run that broke the 2-2 tie.
The Brewers moved ahead 3-2.
Milwaukee’s players celebrated as the championship suddenly appeared within reach.
Only three outs separated the organization from its first World Series title.
Pratt had been one of Milwaukee’s offensive standouts, finishing with four hits in five at-bats and two RBIs.
His home run seemed destined to become one of the most memorable moments in Brewers history.
But Tampa Bay had one final opportunity.
And the Rays refused to let their season end quietly.
Junior Caminero Helps Ignite the Comeback
The bottom of the 12th began with Junior Caminero at the plate.
The Dominican slugger hit a ground ball toward third base, where Joey Ortiz committed a throwing error that allowed Caminero to reach safely.
The mistake immediately changed the inning.
Instead of recording the first out, Milwaukee allowed the potential tying run to reach base.
For Caminero, the moment also carried personal significance.
A night earlier, the young third baseman had been involved in a defensive play that contributed to Milwaukee’s decisive fifth-inning rally in Game 3.
This time, the circumstances favored Tampa Bay.
Cedric Mullins entered as a pinch runner for Caminero.
Liam Hicks followed with a single, advancing the runners and creating an opportunity for the Rays to tie the game.
The crowd at Tropicana Field sensed that something extraordinary might be developing.
And the next batter delivered.
Jonny DeLuca Ties the Game
Jonny DeLuca connected for a single to center field, allowing Mullins to score.
The game was tied 3-3.
Tropicana Field erupted.
Moments earlier, Milwaukee had been three outs away from winning the World Series.
Now the Rays had erased the deficit and were threatening to complete an improbable comeback.
Chandler Simpson followed with another single, loading the bases.
The Brewers responded by bringing their infielders closer to home plate, attempting to prevent the winning run from scoring on a ground ball.
With the bases loaded and the game hanging in the balance, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash made a decisive move.
He sent Ben Williamson to the plate as a pinch hitter.
It was a tremendous opportunity for a player who had struggled offensively throughout the postseason.
Williamson had managed only one hit in 15 at-bats.
But the World Series often creates heroes in unexpected places.
And Williamson was ready.
Ben Williamson Delivers the Biggest Hit of His Career
Facing a crowded Milwaukee infield, Williamson connected with a ground ball that slipped past first baseman Jake Bauers and into right field.
Nick Fortes, who had entered as a pinch runner, raced home with the winning run.
Tampa Bay won 4-3.
The Rays’ dugout emptied.
Players rushed onto the field to celebrate.
Thousands of fans erupted as the home team completed an extraordinary comeback.
Williamson had gone from a struggling postseason hitter to the hero of an elimination game.
His single did not win the World Series.
But it prevented Milwaukee from winning it.
And it gave Tampa Bay another opportunity to compete.
The victory also provided a moment of redemption for a team that had endured three consecutive defeats, including Monday’s humiliating nine-run loss.
For one night, the Rays were the team delivering the decisive hit.
For one night, they were the team celebrating.
Tampa Bay’s Bullpen Finally Delivers Under Pressure
One of the most encouraging developments for the Rays was the performance of their relief pitchers.
Right-hander Griffin Jax started the game and worked four innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out six.
After his departure, Tampa Bay’s bullpen kept the game competitive for eight additional innings.
The relievers repeatedly escaped dangerous situations and prevented Milwaukee from establishing the kind of offensive momentum that had dominated Game 3.
Ian Seymour eventually earned the victory despite allowing Pratt’s go-ahead home run in the 12th.
The performance represented an important change from the first three games.
Earlier in the series, Tampa Bay’s bullpen had struggled to protect leads and contain Milwaukee’s rallies.
On Tuesday, the relief staff gave the offense enough time to respond.
That difference proved decisive.
Jackson Chourio Continues His Historic World Series Performance
Although Milwaukee lost, Venezuelan outfielder Jackson Chourio continued to establish himself as one of the most impressive young players in the championship series.
Chourio collected two hits in six at-bats Tuesday, bringing his total to ten hits through the first four games.
That performance tied a mark established by Babe Ruth in 1928 for the most hits through the opening four games of a World Series.
The achievement highlights Chourio’s remarkable offensive consistency.
His combination of speed, contact ability and composure has made him one of Milwaukee’s most valuable players.
But even his continued production was not enough to secure the championship Tuesday.
The Brewers will have to wait at least one more game.
A Historic Victory, but the Odds Still Favor Milwaukee
Tampa Bay’s victory carries historical significance.
The Rays became only the fifth team to win Game 4 of a World Series after losing the first three games.
The previous four teams were eliminated in Game 5.
That means Tampa Bay will have an opportunity Wednesday to accomplish something unprecedented: force a sixth World Series game after falling behind 3-0.
The challenge remains enormous.
Milwaukee still needs only one victory.
Tampa Bay needs three.
But Tuesday’s result demonstrated that the Brewers can make mistakes, lose close games and struggle to protect late leads.
World Series Results and Schedule
| Game | Result |
|---|---|
| Game 1 — October 23 | Milwaukee 3, Tampa Bay 2 |
| Game 2 — October 24 | Milwaukee 5, Tampa Bay 4 |
| Game 3 — October 26 | Milwaukee 10, Tampa Bay 1 |
| Game 4 — October 27 | Tampa Bay 4, Milwaukee 3 (12 innings) |
| Game 5 — October 28 | Tonight, 8 p.m. ET, Tropicana Field |
| Game 6 — October 30 | If necessary, Milwaukee |
| Game 7 — October 31 | If necessary, Milwaukee |
Series standing: Milwaukee leads 3-1.
Jacob Misiorowski Looks to Finish the Series in Game 5
Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Eastern Time at Tropicana Field.
Milwaukee is expected to start Jacob Misiorowski, one of the most dominant young pitchers in baseball.
His exceptional fastball velocity and ability to generate strikeouts present a significant challenge for Tampa Bay.
The Rays must also make adjustments after using Nick Martinez in relief during Tuesday’s extended contest.
As of Wednesday morning, Tampa Bay had not officially confirmed its Game 5 starter.
Another concern involves Junior Caminero.
The Dominican third baseman left Game 4 with discomfort in his left foot, although he expressed optimism about being available Wednesday.
His health will be important for a Tampa Bay offense that needs every available weapon.
Both teams also face bullpen-management challenges following Tuesday’s 12-inning game.
Milwaukee will attempt to close out the championship.
Tampa Bay will fight to extend its season one more day.
THE SPORTS DESK | ANALYSIS
The Rays Rediscovered Something More Important Than Momentum: Belief
Tuesday’s victory does not erase Tampa Bay’s mistakes from the first three games.
The Rays still face a substantial deficit and must win three more games to capture the championship.
But Game 4 revealed several encouraging developments.
The first was the bullpen’s ability to keep Milwaukee within reach.
After struggling in earlier games, Tampa Bay’s relievers demonstrated that they could compete against one of baseball’s most dangerous lineups.
The second was the return of timely hitting.
The Rays did not win with a barrage of home runs.
They won by putting runners on base, taking advantage of a defensive error and delivering consecutive singles when the season was on the line.
That approach was central to their success throughout the postseason.
The third was their emotional resilience.
When Cooper Pratt hit his home run in the top of the 12th, Milwaukee appeared destined to celebrate the championship.
Tampa Bay could have surrendered.
Instead, the Rays immediately responded.
Caminero reached base.
Hicks singled.
DeLuca tied the game.
Simpson loaded the bases.
And Williamson delivered the winning hit.
It was not the performance of one superstar.
It was a collective response.
That may be the most important lesson Tampa Bay can carry into Game 5.
Can Tampa Bay Extend the Series Again?
Wednesday’s matchup will be particularly challenging.
Misiorowski possesses the kind of fastball that can dominate hitters when his command is sharp.
The Rays must remain patient, work deep counts and avoid unnecessary strikeouts.
They must also capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The status of Caminero will be closely watched.
His power and offensive presence remain essential to Tampa Bay’s hopes.
But Tuesday demonstrated that the Rays have other players capable of delivering important contributions.
Williamson became an unexpected hero.
DeLuca delivered the tying hit.
Simpson helped create the winning opportunity.
And the bullpen gave the team enough time to complete the comeback.
For baseball fans throughout Central Florida, the World Series still offers a reason to believe.
Milwaukee remains one victory away from its first championship.
Tampa Bay needs three consecutive wins to complete an unprecedented World Series comeback.
The Brewers remain overwhelming favorites.
But the Rays now know something they did not know 24 hours earlier.
They can beat Milwaukee when the pressure is greatest.
The championship is still within Milwaukee’s reach. Tampa Bay is still fighting for survival. But the World Series is not over.
And as long as another game remains, the Rays will have an opportunity to write an extraordinary chapter in baseball history.
THE SPORTS DESK — The Sun Post News
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | Morning Edition
