Rays Bullpen Delivers Eight Strong Innings to Keep World Series Hopes Alive

The Rays’ bullpen gave Tampa Bay the chance it needed to survive World Series Game 4. Six relievers combined for eight innings of one-run ball in a 4-3, 12-inning walk-off victory over the Brewers, cutting Milwaukee’s series lead to 3-1. After Griffin Jax departed in the fifth, Kevin Kelly completed the inning without further damage. Game 1 starter Nick Martinez then shifted into relief, allowing just one hit over two scoreless innings. Closer Bryan Baker followed with his first appearance of the series and his longest outing of the season. He kept Milwaukee scoreless in the eighth and ninth, receiving crucial defensive support along the way. Chandler Simpson made a leaping catch at the left-field wall, and a replay review overturned Cooper Pratt’s successful steal into an inning-ending out. Tyler Wells retired five consecutive batters across the 10th and 11th innings. Cam Booser then recorded the final out of the 11th with a strikeout, rebounding from a difficult appearance in Game 3. Ian Seymour surrendered Pratt’s go-ahead solo homer in the 12th but prevented further scoring. Tampa Bay answered in the bottom half, with Ben Williamson’s pinch-hit single completing the comeback. The effort demonstrated the depth and flexibility the Rays needed with their season on the line. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, or Thursday, October 29, at 9 a.m. in Japan. Tampa Bay must win again to extend the series.