Cooper Pratt had already cost the Milwaukee Brewers a run in Game 2 of the World Series. Then, in the seventh inning, the rookie gave them the lead, and the story of the night changed from an error to a hit. Pratt singled in the go ahead run as Milwaukee beat Tampa Bay 5-4 on Saturday to take a 2-0 series lead.
Pratt’s night began badly. His throwing error in the first inning helped Tampa Bay score, and the Rays built a 4-0 lead before most of the crowd had settled. The Brewers chipped away, tied the game in the sixth on Sal Frelick’s leadoff home run, and then handed the seventh inning to their youngest players.
The seventh inning
Brice Turang doubled to open the seventh off Tyler Wells and moved up on a flyout. Pratt then greeted Kevin Kelly with a single to right field, scoring Turang and giving Milwaukee its first lead of the game at 5-4. It was the second opportunity Pratt had been given in the game, and this time he took it.
The at bat capped a grinding night for the Milwaukee offence. The Brewers chased Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen after just three and two thirds innings, then fouled off 45 pitches against the Rays bullpen, the most in a postseason game since the 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks. Relief pitching and patience, rather than power, won the game.
What the rookie moment means
As Reuters reported, Pratt singled to atone for his costly error, and the Brewers bullpen threw six scoreless innings behind him. Aaron Ashby finished the game for his third save, stranding the tying run at third in the ninth for the second straight game.
Rookie moments in the World Series are remembered because they are unforgiving. A young shortstop who boots a ball in the first inning can spend the rest of the night hiding, or he can get one more at bat and change the series. Pratt got the at bat, and Milwaukee now heads to St. Petersburg for Game 3 on Monday needing two more wins for the franchise’s first World Series title.
