The Milwaukee Brewers erased an early four-run deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday and take a 2-0 series lead.
"Guys just, they don't give up," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. "They believe, and they don't give up. They just keep going."
Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby secured the final five outs to record the save, striking out Yandy Dìaz and stranding the tying run at third base to end the game. The left-hander hasn't allowed a run in eight appearances this postseason.
Ashby and four other Brewers relievers combined to pitch five scoreless innings.
"It's been incredible," Murphy said of Ashby. "He does what it takes. It's unconventional. Multiple innings in relief. It's Goose Gossage-like."
The Rays jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning against Brewers starter Logan Henderson after Pratt committed a throwing error. A two-run homer from Liam Hicks made it 4-0.
Tampa Bay's lead wouldn't last, however. Sal Frelick homered in the sixth to tie the game, and Pratt drove in the eventual game-winning run with an RBI single in the seventh inning.
"As long as there's game left, we have a chance," Pratt said. "We've all bought into that. We're never out of it. ... It's special."
Rays ace Drew Rasmussen lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits. That marked his shortest outing since July 9, including the playoffs.
"Just wasn't as sharp, wasn't as crisp," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I thought after the second inning, the third inning, he kind of settled in, started throwing some good change-ups. But Milwaukee, they put together a bunch of good at-bats throughout the entirety of the game."
The Brewers now head to Tropicana Field with a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is scheduled for Monday in St. Petersburg.
Teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win 80 of 96 times (83%) in MLB history, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
Robert Gasser will start Game 3 for the Brewers opposite Freddy Peralta for the Rays.
Despite the series deficit, Cash remains optimistic about the Rays turning things around.
"I know our fans are going to be really loud and excited to see us come back and kind of reset ourselves a little bit," Cash said.
"We've got a really good pitcher going, as do they. A lot of confidence in this club to respond. They've done it all season long, and they'll continue to do it."
