Brewers overcome four-run deficit to beat Rays 5-4, lead World Series 2-0

The Milwaukee Brewers staged a dramatic comeback in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 to take a 2-0 series lead. Down 4-0 after the first inning, the Brewers chipped away methodically before taking the lead in the seventh. The victory marked the Brewers' seventh comeback win of the postseason and their second four-run deficit recovery in these playoffs, following a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.

Sal Frelick tied the game with a solo home run in the sixth inning—his first in three months and first against a left-handed pitcher since opening day. Cooper Pratt, a 22-year-old shortstop who debuted in June, delivered the go-ahead single in the seventh off pitcher Kevin Kelly. The Brewers extended their winning streak to seven straight games, improving their postseason record to 9-1.

Tampa Bay's defensive struggles proved costly. The Rays committed one error, made two additional misplays that could have drawn error charges, and had a runner thrown out at the plate on a poor baserunning decision. Jonathan Aranda failed to field a foul pop in the first inning, allowing William Contreras to reach base and contributing to two runs scoring. In the fourth, a weak grounder went through Aranda's legs, setting up another Brewers run. The Rays' offensive burst in the first—scoring four runs on seven combined hits, the most in a World Series opening inning since 1993—proved insufficient.

Milwaukee's starter Logan Henderson, a rookie on 11 days' rest, allowed four runs (three earned) across three innings. Tampa Bay ace Drew Rasmussen, given extra rest, lasted just three and two-thirds innings while giving up three runs. The Brewers' comeback resilience has become a defining characteristic: they hold a 41-37 record this season when allowing the other team to score first, combining regular season and playoff play. They are the fifth team in MLB playoff history to overcome multiple four-run deficits in a single postseason and the first since Philadelphia in 2022.

Game 3 is scheduled for Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Of the 57 previous teams to take 2-0 World Series leads, 46 went on to claim the championship.