The Milwaukee Brewers were just three outs away from celebrating their first World Series championship. Then everything fell apart.
Now, after one of the most unbelievable finishes of the postseason, the Tampa Bay Rays have new life, and Milwaukee may have given its opponent exactly what it needed to make baseball history.
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The Rays stunned the Brewers with a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory in 12 innings on Tuesday night, avoiding elimination and forcing a Game 5 in a World Series that appeared to be all but over. Milwaukee still leads the series 3-1, but the momentum could be shifting at the worst possible time for the Brewers.
THE BREWERS WERE ONE OUT AWAY FROM HISTORY
Milwaukee appeared to have the championship within reach when rookie Cooper Pratt launched a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the 12th inning, giving the Brewers a 3-2 lead.
They were just three outs away from securing the franchise's first World Series title.
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But the Rays refused to go away.
A costly throwing error by Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz allowed Junior Caminero to reach base to begin the bottom of the inning. Tampa Bay took advantage, stringing together hits to tie the game before pinch-hitter Ben Williamson delivered the walk-off single that sent Tropicana Field into a frenzy.
In a matter of minutes, Milwaukee went from preparing to celebrate a championship to facing another game.
DID MILWAUKEE JUST GIVE TAMPA BAY THE BELIEF IT NEEDED?
This is where things get interesting.
The Rays entered Game 4 facing elimination after losing the first three games of the World Series, including a brutal 10-1 defeat in Game 3.
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They needed something to change, and Tuesday night's comeback might have provided exactly that.
Tampa Bay showed it could survive a late deficit, respond after a devastating home run and find a way to win when its season was on the line.
For a team that had struggled to generate consistent offense throughout the series, that kind of victory could be a massive confidence boost heading into Game 5.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee has to process a heartbreaking defeat after coming so close to finishing the job.
The Brewers had an opportunity to end the series, but a defensive mistake and a late Tampa Bay rally turned what looked like a championship celebration into a nightmare.
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THE RAYS ARE CHASING THE IMPOSSIBLE
There is still a massive obstacle standing in Tampa Bay's way.
No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the World Series. The Rays must now win three consecutive games to capture the championship, beginning with Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Milwaukee also has a chance to respond immediately, with Jacob Misiorowski expected to take the mound in Game 5.
But baseball is a sport where one moment can completely change the feeling surrounding a series.
Just hours ago, the Brewers looked ready to celebrate a historic championship. Now, they have to regroup after watching a victory slip away in the most painful fashion imaginable.
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For Tampa Bay, the mission remains incredibly difficult. But the Rays have finally given themselves a reason to believe.
Could Milwaukee's collapse in Game 4 be the moment that sparks one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history?
The Brewers are still firmly in control of the series, but after Tuesday night's stunning finish, nobody should be counting the Rays out just yet.
