For a rookie who made his debut four months ago, Cooper Pratt has stepped up in the World Series. The Milwaukee Brewers shortstop has tallied six hits, two doubles, five RBI and a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays. He rose to the occasion in Game Four, going 4-for-5 with two RBI, including a run-scoring double in the fourth and a solo home run in the 12th. His lead off homer put the Brewers ahead only for the Rays to respond with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to keep their season alive going into Game Five at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.
“This kid responds to everything,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said of Pratt. “He had some hiccups on defense, and he responded with a huge walk-off hit.”
Cooper Pratt Steps Up
Before the Brewers reached the World Series, Pratt performed well in his postseason debut. He recorded four hits against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS. He also had five hits against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. Still, he struck out six times across both series.
However, Cooper Pratt adjusted to the pressure of the postseason when it mattered most. In Games Two andThree of the World Series, he had two hits and scored three runs in part due to a two-run double. He took it up a notch in game four.
After Sal Frelick singled in the fourth, Pratt hit an RBI double to left field which tied the game, 1–1. He advanced to third off a wild pitch despite the Brewers failing to score him. He singled in the sixth and in the ninth, while swiping second in that inning. Most notably, Pratt hit a 396-foot solo home run to give the Brewers a one-run lead in the top of the 12th.
“He also almost had a winning hit tonight,” Murphy added. “He had a great night at the plate, the best of anybody at the plate. He’s really locked in.”
Coming Up Short
Despite the efforts of Cooper Pratt, rookie left-hander Shane Drohan was unable to hold off the Rays in the bottom of the inning. Junior Caminero reached base due to a throwing error from Joey Ortiz. Liam Hicks singled to advance Caminero to third. Jonny DeLuca plated an RBI single to tie the game at 3–3.
Not long after, Chandler Simpson lined a single to load the bases for the Rays. Pinch-hitter Ben Williamson took advantage of the opportunity, hitting a walk off single to keep the Rays season alive.
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“I think the guys understand it’s going to be hard,” Murphy said. “It’s going to be hard. You’re playing against the best team in the American League. They proved it all year long and they came up big today. It’s going to be hard.”
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