Brewers erase four-run deficit to take 2-0 World Series lead over Rays

The Milwaukee Brewers came back from four runs down to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Milwaukee on Saturday, October 24, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven World Series. Sal Frelick tied Game 2 with a home run before rookie Cooper Pratt singled in the winning run, leaving Milwaukee two victories from its first championship.

How Milwaukee overturned Tampa Bay’s lead

Tampa Bay scored four runs in the first inning against Brewers rookie starter Logan Henderson. Milwaukee answered with two runs in the bottom half on run-scoring singles by William Contreras and Garrett Mitchell, according to USA TODAY Sports. The early exchange left the Rays ahead despite Milwaukee’s quick response.

The Rays had a chance to score in the sixth, but Liam Hicks was thrown out at home after third-base coach Brady Williams sent him on Victor Mesa’s shallow single to left. CBS Sports reported that Milwaukee’s bullpen protected the one-run lead, completing a run of five unanswered Brewers runs after Tampa Bay’s opening inning.

What the 2-0 lead means for the World Series

Milwaukee has won seven consecutive postseason games, its longest postseason winning streak, according to USA TODAY Sports. The Brewers reached this World Series by sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League pennant, CBS Sports reported. It is Milwaukee’s first World Series appearance since 1982.

Neither the Brewers nor the Rays have won a World Series title. Tampa Bay reached this year’s series by beating the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series, CBS Sports reported. That sets up a first-time champion regardless of which club wins the remaining games.

CBS Sports says teams that have taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven MLB series have gone on to win 83% of the time. Milwaukee’s advantage puts Tampa Bay under pressure as the series moves to the Rays’ home field, but the clubs still have games to play before a champion is decided.