The Milwaukee Brewers opened the World Series with a narrow 3 to 2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays after surviving a tense ninth inning. Milwaukee looked close to ending the game with a double play, but a video review changed the call at second base and kept Tampa Bay’s hopes alive. The Brewers then recovered to secure the final out and take a 1 to 0 lead in the championship series.
Milwaukee started strongly, scoring twice in the first inning. Christian Yelich drove in a run with a triple, and William Contreras added another with a single. The early lead gave the home team room to manage the game, although Tampa Bay remained within reach as the innings passed.
Pitcher Jacob Misiorowski helped Milwaukee stay ahead by allowing one run and four hits over five innings. He also delivered a fastball clocked at 103.5 miles per hour, reported as the fastest pitch ever thrown in a World Series game. Misiorowski said the early adrenaline affected him before he settled into his plan and focused on controlling the game.
Milwaukee added an insurance run in the seventh inning when Jackson Chourio singled home rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt. The extra run became important when Tampa Bay made a late push. The Rays had not put a runner on base since the sixth inning, but they began to threaten reliever Trevor Megill in the ninth.
Tampa Bay collected consecutive singles and used a double steal to put runners in scoring position. A walk then loaded the bases. Liam Hicks hit a ground ball that appeared to produce a game-ending double play. Milwaukee players celebrated, but replay officials ruled that Pratt’s foot had come off second base before he caught the throw. The call was changed, keeping the Rays alive.
Megill responded by striking out Jonny DeLuca, ending the game. Tampa Bay finished without a hit in six chances with runners in scoring position, a missed opportunity that proved costly. The Rays’ manager said the team was frustrated because one strong hit could have changed the result.
The victory gives Milwaukee an early advantage in a series between two clubs still seeking their first World Series title. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday night, with Drew Rasmussen expected to pitch for Tampa Bay and Logan Henderson for Milwaukee. The opener showed how one replay decision can change the mood of a game, but Milwaukee’s final pitch ensured the result remained in its favour.
