The Tampa Bay Rays walked off the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the World Series in 12 innings.
After Cooper Pratt hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th inning, it looked like the Brewers were headed for a celebration for the ages. However, they still had three outs to get. The only problem was that Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill and DL Hall had all been used. Manager Pat Murphy left Antonio Senzatela in to face Junior Caminero and he got a ground ball.
However, Joey Ortiz made an error, allowing him to reach. He would eventually be lifted for a pinch runner who came around to score the tying run. Senzatela was pulled and replaced with Shane Drohan, who gave up four straight hits to lose the game.
With a chance at a championship on the line, many were confused as to why Murphy did not deploy his ace Jacob Misiorowski for the save. In the past, aces have come in to close out big games, and without many options remaining, Misiorowski seemed like a solid choice.
Brewers’ Pat Murphy Explains Decision To
“You can’t blow that type of situation on a one-run lead on the road,” Murphy said when asked if Misiorowski was an option in extra innings. “If we were in the 13th inning and had a three-run lead, that might be a little bit different, and I probably still wouldn’t have.”
Misiorowski will start Game 5, as he was always slated to do. However, it’s clear that Murphy had an eye on the future, thinking about what would happen if the Brewers lost despite Pratt’s clutch home run.
The question on every fan’s mind is why even think about Game 5 if Misiorowski can win Game 4? Did Murphy not trust him? Was he not ready? Questions are rightfully being raised, but the reality is that the Brewers were up 3-0.
They are not the team that needs to push all of their chips in. The Rays are. The Brewers’ lead in the series gives them the luxury to think about tomorrow, and using Misiorowski could have been reckless.
It’s impossible to know if Misiorowski would have gotten the three outs in the 12th if he pitched. However, it’s hard to imagine him allowing four straight hits and giving up two runs. Now, he will have a chance to start in what could be a decisive Game 5.
More MLB: Rays’ Junior Caminero Reveals Game 5 Status After Foot Injury In Game 4
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