MILWAUKEE (AP) — Rowdy Tellez hit a tying homer in the ninth inning and made a key defensive play in the 10th, setting up Willy Adames’ game-ending RBI single that gave the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
Adames had struck out in his previous three at-bats before he came up in the 10th following an intentional walk to Christian Yelich. His grounder off Ryan Thompson (3-3) got past diving shortstop Taylor Walls and scored automatic runner Tyrone Taylor from second base.
“I always get excited,” Adames said about the free pass to Yelich. “It kind of like pumps me up. I’ve got to do it now.”
Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said: “I always think that does something for the hitter, a little bit. It means they want to face you, and I just think that gives you a little bit of extra. You’re having a tough day but you have a shot to win the game, and it’s a brand-new at-bat and a brand-new game.”
Milwaukee completed a two-game sweep of Tampa Bay and moved within one-half game of NL Central-leading St. Louis, which was playing at Colorado on Wednesday night. The Brewers are 3-5 since trading closer Josh Hader to San Diego at the deadline.
The Rays fell even with division rival Baltimore for the final AL wild card.
In the top of the 10th, first baseman Tellez fielded Walls’ grounder and threw to third to cut down automatic runner Francisco Mejía. Catcher Victor Caratini then threw out Walls trying to steal second.
Devin Williams (3-2) ended the inning by striking out Jose Siri.
Tellez, who entered as a pinch-hitter in the sixth, led off the ninth with his 23rd homer, a drive to center off Colin Poche that made it 3-3.
“I’ve played against him a couple times. I don’t think I’ve ever got a hit. I think I struck out every single time,” Tellez…