Brewers survive ninth-inning scare to beat Rays in World Series opener

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Milwaukee Brewers survived a tense ninth inning to beat Tampa Bay Rays 3–2 on Friday, winning their first World Series game since 1982 and taking the opening advantage in this year’s championship.

Closer Trevor Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca with runners on second and third to finish the game at American Family Field. Milwaukee had already begun celebrating before a replay review overturned part of an apparent game-ending double play.

The review showed shortstop Cooper Pratt had come off second base while receiving Brice Turang’s throw. Liam Hicks was still out at first, but a Tampa Bay run counted and the tying run remained in scoring position. Megill then secured the final out.

The Brewers had taken control early. Jackson Chourio singled in the first inning and scored on Christian Yelich’s triple, before William Contreras drove in Yelich to establish a 2–0 lead against Rays starter Nick Martinez.

Jacob Misiorowski kept Milwaukee ahead through five innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out three. Tampa Bay’s first run came in the fourth, when Jonathan Aranda scored on a Hicks groundout.

Chourio gave Milwaukee a valuable extra run in the seventh by singling home Pratt. Contreras also made an important defensive contribution, throwing out two runners attempting to steal, before the late drama threatened the home side’s lead.

Milwaukee now lead the best-of-seven series 1–0. Both teams are seeking their first World Series championship, and Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday in Milwaukee, with Drew Rasmussen set to start for Tampa Bay against Logan Henderson.