Brewers Rally to Beat Rays 5-4 in World Series Game 2, Lead 2-0

The Milwaukee Brewers came from four runs down to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday, 24 October 2026, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Sal Frelick hit a game-tying home run in the sixth inning and rookie Cooper Pratt drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

The Brewers, chasing the first World Series title in franchise history, had also won Game 1 by 3-2. The series now moves to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, for Game 3 on Monday, 26 October.

How Did the Brewers Come Back in Game 2?

The Rays struck first with four runs in the first inning against Brewers rookie Logan Henderson. Chandler Simpson and Junior Caminero drove in runs with singles before catcher Liam Hicks hit a 411-foot home run, the first of the series, according to MLB.com.

Milwaukee began chipping away immediately. William Contreras drove in Jackson Chourio with a hit-and-run single in the bottom of the first, and Garrett Mitchell’s two-out single made it 4-2. In the fourth, a fielding error by first baseman Jonathan Aranda allowed Pratt to score and cut the deficit to 4-3.

Frelick, a left-handed hitter who had managed just one home run off left-handed pitching in 98 plate appearances in the regular season, then led off the sixth with a solo shot to centre field off Ian Seymour to level the score at 4-4. In the seventh, Brice Turang doubled and moved to third, and Pratt singled to right off Kevin Kelly to put Milwaukee ahead.

“If we’re down, we’re not out,” Frelick said afterwards.

How Did the Game End?

Aaron Ashby closed the game in the ninth, but not without drama. The Rays got the tying run to third base before Yandy Díaz was called out on a check-swing strike to end the game. “It is frustrating,” Díaz said through an interpreter. “We didn’t do our job and score more runs to help out our pitchers.”

Rays ace Drew Rasmussen lasted only 3 2/3 innings, his shortest start in months, while the Milwaukee bullpen kept Tampa Bay scoreless after the first inning.

• Final score: Brewers 5, Rays 4.
• Series: Brewers lead 2-0.
• Key moments: Frelick’s sixth-inning home run; Pratt’s seventh-inning RBI single.
• Next game: Game 3, Monday 26 October, Tropicana Field.

What Are the Brewers’ Chances Now?

According to MLB.com, teams that have taken a 2-0 lead in a World Series have gone on to win the title 80.7% of the time, across 55 previous cases. That is a strong position, but not a guarantee, and the Rays will now have three home games in a row.

“Guys just, they don’t give up. They believe, and they don’t give up. They just keep going,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.

Who Is Pitching in Game 3?

The Brewers are expected to start left-hander Robert Gasser in Game 3, with the Rays turning to right-hander Freddy Peralta, according to the clubs’ announced probable pitchers. First pitch is scheduled for 8pm Eastern Time (midnight UK time).

Catch up on our preview of the Rays vs Brewers World Series.

Featured image: American Family Field, Milwaukee, in September 2025, by Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. File photo, not from the World Series.

Sources

• MLB.com — Methodical Brewers chip away at Rays, rally to seize 2-0 lead (24 October 2026).
• MLB.com — Sal Frelick hits game-tying home run in World Series Game 2 (24 October 2026).
• Yahoo Sports — Brewers, Rays Announce World Series Game 3 Starters.