For a brief moment on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Brewers believed they had positioned themselves for the go-ahead run during the top of the ninth inning in Game 4 of the World Series.
However, a reversed decision thwarted the Brewers’ advance, and three innings later, the Tampa Bay Rays achieved a walk-off victory, triumphing 4-3 in 12 innings, thus pushing the series to Game 5 while Milwaukee maintained a 3-1 advantage.
Should this ruling have been reversed?
In a critical moment with pinch hitter Andrew Vaughn facing off, Cooper Pratt successfully stole second base as the potential go-ahead run in a 2-2 clash, aimed at completing a 4-0 series sweep. Pratt appeared to expertly slide beneath the tag from Richie Palacios, prompting umpire Tripp Gibson to declare Pratt safe on a tightly contested play.
Yet, Kevin Cash wasn’t content with the execution of that call. The Rays’ manager initiated a challenge, leading to almost four agonizing minutes at Tropicana Field.
While MLB’s replay center analyzed the situation, the Fox broadcast presented various angles of the play, scrutinizing whether Palacios indeed tagged the edge of his glove against Pratt’s left hand as he slid into base.
One perspective suggested it was possible. Conversely, several others indicated otherwise. Since the initial call was safe, the replay needed to yield definitive evidence of Palacios successfully tagging to overturn the ruling.
Following the extensive review process, home plate umpire James Hoye returned to the field to announce: “After review, the call is overturned. The runner on the field is out.”
This decision curtailed the Brewers’ opportunity, concluding the top of the ninth.
Rays secure walk-off victory in 12th to extend to Game 5
The game stayed tied at 2-2 until the top of the 12th inning, during which Pratt connected for a solo home run, propelling the Brewers to a 3-2 lead. Nevertheless, the Rays answered back with two runs in the bottom half of the 12th, and Ben Williamson’s walk-off single clinched a 4-3 victory for Tampa Bay.
The Brewers do not know if they would have secured Game 4 and the World Series had the initial call on Pratt’s steal been upheld. However, thanks to Cash’s strategic challenge, the Rays weren’t required to find out.
Game 5 is set for 8 p.m. ET Wednesday in St. Petersburg, where the Rays will once again aim to prolong both the series and their season.
