Heart-stopping replay complicated Brewers’ long-awaited World Series win

Heart-stopping replay complicated Brewers' long-awaited World Series win. Bob Nightengale USA TODAY.

Key points

• The Brewers had just won Game 1 over the Tampa Bay Rays, their first World Series victory in 44 years.
• Can you imagine how demoralized the Brewers would be knowing they have to face Rays ace Drew Rasmussen in Game 2?
• Megill raised everyone's blood pressure at American Family Field when he fell behind 2-and-1 to DeLuca.
• Remarked Rays manager Kevin Cash: Once I saw a replay a couple of times, I felt like it was going to secure overturned.
• Brewers and Rays players create their pitch for why you should tune in as two small-market teams chase a first World Series title.

Heart-stopping replay complicated Brewers' long-awaited World Series win. Bob Nightengale USA TODAY. Why watch Brewers-Rays World Series? Players create their case.

MILWAUKEE – Trevor Megill induced the game-ending double play Friday night and screamed. The sellout crowd roared. Fireworks went off. Brewers players hugged. GM Matt Arnold was high-fiving friends and employees in his suite.

For context, the Brewers had just won Game 1 over the Tampa Bay Rays, their first World Series victory in 44 years.

As Megill stomped off the mound, he noticed the umpiring crew starting to huddle, then. The Tampa Bay Rays were challenging.

I didn't think it was a big deal, Megill remarked. It was the last out of the game, so what did they have to lose? I thought they were just challenging the call at first base.

In practice, the Rays were challenging the play at second too. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt's foot barely lifted off the base as he turned what appeared to be the game-ending double play.

Megill paused, stood on the field, looked at second base umpire James Hoye. This person was on the headset with the New York replay booth, and remarked, "Hey, what are you hearing?"

He remarked, 'Whatever, not too good, ' Megill recalled. You want to throw some baseballs.' ''.

Megill, now assuming the worst, kept throwing warm-up pitches. The crowd kept holding its breath. Suddenly, there was an entire stadium full of angst.

"You got to think worst-case scenario there, " Megill remarked. "Once the replay went up that it was on the play at second base, and zoomed in, it didn't look good." The game was not over.

Junior Caminero was safe at second base. Chandler Simpson was at third base. And a run scored.

In practice, the apparent 3-1 victory suddenly became a 3-2 lead with runners on second and third. Two outs. And Jonny DeLuca at the plate.

Brewers catcher William Contreras, called the team's MVP of the postseason by Brewers manager Pat Murphy with his two hits, RBI, and two caught stealings, went to the mound to create sure that Megill was ok. Megill assured him that he was fine, but, hey. This person was the next batter again.

It was DeLuca, their No. 6 hitter, who hit 11 homers during the season.

"This is a game of momentum, " DeLuca remarked. "In that place, you're not sure if the game is ending or if you'll get an opportunity."

Remarked Rays manager Kevin Cash: Once I saw a replay a couple of times, I felt like it was going to secure overturned. And felt good regarding Jonny going up there against Megill with two outs.''.

Megill, who was just celebrating a few minutes earlier, suddenly had to regain his composure, Pratt had to take deep breaths and pray that Megill would prevent the most painful mistake of his professional career.

Megill raised everyone's blood pressure at American Family Field when he fell behind 2-and-1 to DeLuca. He came back a knuckle-curve for strike 2. Then, he threw it again, just below the strikezone. DeLuca swung and missed. Megill screamed and stomped off the mound. This time, it counted. Brewers 3, Rays 2.

That was crazy, remarked Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby. This person pitched 1 ⅔ perfect innings, and hasn't allowed a run in 14 innings this postseason. Just crazy credit to Megill for having that unload of adrenaline and emotion, and then to have that thing overturned and obtain back out there.

That was massive. That's why he's the guy in the ninth for us. Unbelievable composure out of him. It was special to come back and have that composure. Remarked Murphy: That, was the biggest at-bat of the game.

Can you imagine if the Brewers had lost the game since of the challenge?

How Pratt would have to live with the blunder if it cost them the World Series? Obviously, it was a stressful situation, '' Megill remarked.

Just ask Pratt, who immediately ran over to Megill and remarked thanks for picking me up.''.

I just wanted to win so bad, Pratt remarked. I felt terrible. I mean, that's not what you want, especially to end the game. And when we obtained the last out, I just took a deep breath. What a huge sigh of relief. Hey, that's what teammates are for, right?

That's just kind of Brewer baseball, and it's part of the plan here, Megill remarked. Guys are going to have something that don't go the right way, and it's up to the teammates to pick them up. So, you know I'm sure he'll it'll come through major in the next couple games for us.''. For now, well, Game 1 was in the books.

It was emotional with the sellout crowd standing and screaming most of the game. And it was heart-stopping.

Yet, the Brewers didn't wildly celebrate. There was no loud music blaring in the clubhouse. Just relief. Three more victories to go.

This means a lot, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't obtain there, '' Megill stated. We obtained three more wins to go. We know it's not done yet. It's just one step in the right direction.''. Next time, a step that will stay on that bag. You better believe it, Pratt remarked. Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

Taken together, the developments around heart-stopping replay complicated Brewers long point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.