Brewers Rally Past Rays to Take Two-Game Series Lead

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Saturday night in Milwaukee to claim a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Series.

Sal Frelick hit a game-tying home run in the sixth inning and Cooper Pratt drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh to cap a comeback from an early 4-0 deficit.

The victory puts Milwaukee just two wins away from capturing the first championship in franchise history.

“They’re going to tap us on the shoulder at some point and tell us no more,” said Brewers manager Pat Murphy. “Guys just don’t give up. They believe, and they don’t give up.”

Tampa Bay seized control early when Liam Hicks hit a two-run home run in a four-run first inning against rookie starting pitcher Logan Henderson.

Hicks became just the fourth Canadian-born player to hit a home run in the World Series.

The Rays built their early advantage but stumbled defensively with errors and misplays that allowed the Brewers to stay close.

“Look, we didn’t play our cleanest baseball game by any stretch,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. “We pride ourselves on doing everything we can to support the pitchers and making plays behind them. Today was probably not our best day.”

Milwaukee slowly chipped away at the deficit with runs in the first and fourth innings before Frelick tied the game with his solo shot in the sixth.

Pratt then delivered the decisive blow in the seventh inning with a single to right field off reliever Kevin Kelly, scoring Brice Turang.

Relief pitcher Abner Uribe earned the win after tossing 1 1/3 hitless innings.

Aaron Ashby closed out the ninth inning under pressure, striking out Yandy Díaz on a checked swing with the tying run stranded at third base.

Game 3 of the series shifts to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Monday night.