ST. PETERSBURG, Florida: The Milwaukee Brewers made franchise history on Wednesday, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 at Tropicana Field to claim their first World Series title and end decades of waiting for a championship.
Starter Jacob Misiorowski held Tampa Bay scoreless for 5⅔ innings before leaving the game with a right calf cramp. Timely hitting and a strong bullpen performance helped Milwaukee protect its lead and secure the decisive victory.
The championship capped an outstanding season for the Brewers, who recorded a Major League Baseball-best 103 wins during the regular season before advancing through the playoffs to claim the title.
Brewers Build an Early Lead
Rookie Cooper Pratt opened the scoring with an RBI single in the second inning, giving Milwaukee an early advantage.
David Hamilton added another run in the fifth to make it 2-0. The Brewers strengthened their lead in the sixth when William Contreras delivered an RBI double before Pratt scored on a sacrifice fly, extending the advantage to 4-0.
Misiorowski kept the Rays scoreless through 5⅔ innings, but a right calf cramp forced him to leave the game.
Milwaukee’s bullpen maintained control as Tampa Bay attempted a late comeback. The Rays scored their only run in the ninth inning when Chandler Simpson hit an RBI double.
Closer Trevor Megill recorded the final out, completing the Brewers’ historic victory.
Contreras Named World Series MVP
Contreras earned World Series Most Valuable Player honours after delivering a .381 batting average, eight hits in 21 at-bats and four RBIs during the series.
Rookie Pratt also made his mark on the championship, recording hits in six consecutive World Series at-bats to establish a record for a rookie.
Their performances helped Milwaukee convert its regular-season success into the franchise’s first World Series championship.
Road to the Championship
The Brewers secured their place in the World Series after defeating the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series and sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.
The Dodgers had entered the postseason as two-time defending champions, making Milwaukee’s run through the playoffs a significant achievement.
The Brewers’ 103 regular-season victories provided the foundation for their championship campaign, which culminated in the win over Tampa Bay.
Milwaukee Ends Decades of Waiting
The title marks a milestone for a franchise established as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 before relocating to Milwaukee in 1970.
Milwaukee had previously reached the World Series only once, in 1982, when the team lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.
The latest victory ends that long wait and gives the Brewers their first championship since the franchise began.
Team captain Christian Yelich said Milwaukee had waited a long time for the title and expressed excitement about bringing the championship home to the city’s fans.
