Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz took full accountability following a pivotal defensive error in the 12th inning of Game 4 of the World Series. With the Brewers just three outs away from clinching their first franchise title, a ground ball off the bat of Junior Caminero forced a difficult play. Ortiz fielded the ball near the line but sent a throw into the dirt that evaded first baseman Jake Bauers, allowing Caminero to reach base safely. Asked about the encouraging words he had received from teammates, Joey Ortiz said. The Brewers did have a case for hard luck.
Refusing to make excuses despite his limited usage this October, Ortiz offered a candid self-assessment of the play. “I fielded the ball and I think I should have taken another couple more steps toward first,” he remarked. While Bauers described the play as a challenging in-between hop and noted that such errors are an inherent part of the game, Ortiz remained critical of his own execution. Bauers, who could not come up with the short hop, called it “a little in-between pick” and added: “Sometimes you get ’em, sometimes you don’t.”. Two batters into his appearance, Bauers saved him with a pick.
The defensive breakdown triggered a swift collapse for the Brewers. Following the error, the Tampa Bay Rays capitalized immediately, scoring twice in the 12th inning without recording an out to secure a 4-3 victory. The result cut Milwaukee’s series lead to 3-1 and necessitated a Game 5 on Wednesday. Pitcher Shane Drohan, who replaced Ortiz on the mound, was unable to stop the momentum as five consecutive Rays hitters reached base, capped by Ben Williamson’s decisive hit into right field. Liam Hicks singled to left; pinch runner Cedric Mullins scored on Jonny DeLuca’s single up the middle, Chandler Simpson singled to load the bases and Ben Williamson, 1-for-15 in the postseason, clipped the first pitch he saw into right field.
Teammates were quick to offer perspective on the loss. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt, who had earlier provided a temporary 3-2 lead with a 396-foot solo home run in the 12th, downplayed the impact of individual mistakes. “I think a loss is a loss,” Pratt said, noting that a defeat in extra innings carries the same weight as a blowout. He had his own hurdles to clear during the contest, having been ruled out at second base following a successful challenge by the Rays in the ninth inning. Having been used sparingly this October, he entered in the ninth after Andrew Vaughn pinch-hit for David Hamilton. His fourth hit of the night, for a 3-2 lead, the 22-year-old rookie shortstop led off the 12th against left-hander Ian Seymour and hit a 2-2 sweeper 396 feet into the left-field bleachers. Having been thrown out trying to steal second in the ninth after the Rays challenged the safe call and won. “I think a loss is a loss,” he said. “Losing by 10 runs is the same as losing b, pratt had his own play to flush.
Veteran Christian Yelich also dismissed concerns regarding Ortiz’s mental state following the high-stakes error. “Joey will be fine,” Yelich stated. “That kind of stuff happens.”
Looking ahead, the Brewers are preparing for a rebound in Game 5. Jacob Misiorowski is scheduled to take the mound on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. He returns on four days’ rest after delivering a strong performance in Game 1, where he allowed only one run over five innings of work.
