Rays force Game 5 after 12th-inning rally

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided elimination by winning 4-3 in 12 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night, forcing a decisive Game 5 at Tropicana Field.

Milwaukee held an 8-game winning streak entering the game and was one run away from their first World Series title. In the top of the 12th, Cooper Pratt hit a home run off Ian Seymour to give the Brewers a 3-2 lead. Pratt, a 22-year-old rookie, recorded his fourth hit of the game with the blow.

Tampa Bay responded in the bottom of the 12th after third baseman Joey Ortiz made a throwing error on Junior Caminero's grounder against Antonio Senzatela. Liam Hicks singled off Shane Drohan, and Jonny DeLuca singled to center field. That hit drove in pinch-runner Cedric Mullins to tie the score at 3.

Chandler Simpson singled to load the bases. With the infield in, pinch-hitter Ben Williamson hit a chopper over first baseman Jake Bauers into right field to win the game. Williamson went 1 for 15 in the postseason before this at-bat.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said he instructed Williamson to hit the ball over first base. Cash noted the team has a lot of fight and does not shy away from challenges.

According to OptaSTATS, Tampa Bay is the fourth team in World Series history to avoid elimination with an extra-inning comeback. The previous three teams, the 1912 Red Sox, 1986 Mets, and 2011 Cardinals, all won the championship.

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The Brewers plan to start Jacob Misiorowski, the NL Cy Young Award favorite. Cash has not yet named a starter for Tampa Bay.

Junior Caminero left the game with an ailing left foot after being replaced by Cedric Mullins. The All-Star slugger said he will definitely play Wednesday. Cash confirmed Caminero will play on one leg. The Brewers ended their eight-game winning streak, and Milwaukee captain Christian Yelich said the team understands that winning a championship requires surviving hard moments.