Ben Williamson’s Walk-Off Keeps the Rays Alive in the World Series

Tampa Bay players celebrate their Game 4 walk-off victory. Photo via MLB.com.

Ben Williamson gave Tampa Bay another game to play. The Rays’ pinch-hitter delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning to beat Milwaukee 4–3 in World Series Game 4, denying the Brewers a sweep and keeping Tampa Bay’s season alive.

The game began Tuesday and stretched into early Wednesday morning. Yahoo Sports reported that the finish arrived at 12:28 a.m. Eastern after four hours and 20 minutes. Cooper Pratt’s solo home run in the top of the 12th had put Milwaukee ahead and within three outs of a championship before Tampa Bay answered.

Williamson’s alma mater, William & Mary, detailed the decisive moment. With the score tied and the bases loaded, he attacked the first pitch from left-hander Shane Drohan. His chopper reached right field and brought home Nick Fortes, turning a night spent waiting on the bench into the biggest swing of the game.

The celebration gave the series a different ending than the one Milwaukee had been closing in on. Williamson pulled off his helmet after reaching first base as teammates converged. William & Mary noted that it was Tampa Bay’s first postseason walk-off since Game 4 of the 2020 World Series.

For Williamson, a 2023 William & Mary alumnus, the moment also extended a notable connection to the program. The school said his appearances in Games 1 and 3 made him its first former player in a World Series since Vic Raschi with the Yankees in 1953.

Milwaukee still leads the series 3–1. Tampa Bay’s win changes the immediate task, not the size of the deficit: the Rays must keep winning to extend this matchup, while the Brewers retain the advantage. Game 4 nevertheless supplied a reminder that an elimination game stays alive until the last out. One prepared hitter and one ball finding open grass were enough to make the teams meet again.