World Series Game 1 ends twice: Brewers- Rays double-play call overturned, Milwaukee still wins

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Game 1 of the 2026 World Series swung in the top of the ninth inning at American Family Field after the Rays loaded the bases and put a potential double-play sequence into motion against Milwaukee closer Trevor Megill. With the Brewers leading 3-1, Tampa Bay sent catcher Liam Hicks to the plate, setting up a key ground-ball moment that initially appeared to end the threat.

Hicks hit a ground ball toward the hole between first and second base. Second baseman Brice Turang moved to his left to field the ball and spun to throw to shortstop Cooper Pratt, aiming to start a double play.

In real time, the sequence looked like it worked: Pratt appeared to have the force at second and then made the relay throw in time to get Jake Bauers at first. The play triggered Milwaukee’s victory celebrations as the Brewers closed in on their first World Series win since 1982.

The Rays challenged the out at second, arguing that Pratt’s foot came off the bag when the ball hit his glove. Replay review upheld Tampa Bay’s challenge, determining by the slightest margin that Pratt did not keep his foot on second long enough as he hurried through the second phase of the play.

Because the second-base call changed, the inning outcome shifted before the game could fully close. While Hicks was still out at first for the second out of the frame, the runner on second—Junior Caminero—was ruled safe, and the Rays resumed the inning with runners at second and third.

With a run coming in on the play, Tampa Bay cut Milwaukee’s lead to 3-2 while keeping its runners in scoring position. The Brewers’ advantage had narrowed dramatically after the overturned double-play call, turning the final moments of Game 1 into a higher-leverage situation for Megill.

After the smoke from fireworks cleared, Megill remained in control of the revised threat. The closer struck out Jonny DeLuca swinging, and the strikeout ended Game 1 with Milwaukee winning despite the late rule change.

The Brewers’ double-play moment may have been delayed and redefined by review, but the final result stayed the same, with Milwaukee clinching Game 1 after turning a 3-1 lead into a 3-2 finish before closing the game out.