Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt hit a record-setting six consecutive hits and drove in two runs Wednesday, steering the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 and securing the franchise’s first World Series title in its 57-season history.
The Milwaukee Brewers waited nearly six decades for a night like this. Playing in Major League Baseball’s smallest market as defined by Nielsen television viewing areas, the organization captured its first championship since relocating from Seattle in 1970. The title capped a dominant 103-win regular season and an 11-2 postseason run, erasing decades of frustration for a franchise that had not reached the World Series since 1982.
For 22-year-old rookie Cooper Pratt, the victory crowned a whirlwind introduction to the major leagues. Making his debut on June 16, the shortstop finished the Fall Classic batting .421 with a home run and seven RBIs. Pratt set a World Series record for rookies by recording hits in six consecutive at-bats, eclipsing a mark held by Brian Doyle of the 1978 New York Yankees.
Cooper Pratt becomes the first rookie in World Series history with a hit in SIX straight at-bats pic.twitter.com/NVUfQ7oKGG
From Game 4 Heartbreak to Game 5 Clincher at Tropicana Field
The championship celebration in St. Petersburg followed a devastating near-miss just 24 hours earlier. During Game 4 on Tuesday night, Pratt hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th inning off Rays left-hander Ian Seymour, putting Milwaukee three outs away from a sweep. Tampa Bay rallied for two runs in the bottom of the frame to steal a 4-3 victory.
Pratt finished that game with four hits, becoming the first rookie in World Series history to collect four hits in a potential clincher. Rather than dwell on the missed sweep, the rookie maintained a forward-looking perspective.
THERE IT IS! The final out!The @Brewers are your 2026 World Series Champions@MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/9z890xay2o
That short memory paid immediate dividends in Game 5. Pratt singled home Brice Turang in the second inning against Drew Rasmussen to open the scoring, then notched his sixth straight hit off Kevin Kelly in the fifth. His historic streak finally ended in the sixth inning when he hit a sacrifice fly to deep foul territory, plating William Contreras to build Milwaukee’s lead to 4-0.
Jacob Misiorowski and William Contreras Lead the Championship Effort
While Pratt provided the historic bat, pitcher Jacob Misiorowski delivered the arm that silenced the Rays. The fireballer tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings, scattering two hits and a walk while striking out two before exiting with a cramp in his right calf.
“This is one of the greatest moments of my life! It doesn’t even seem real. It only took 4 months!” A stunned Cooper Pratt joins Tom Verducci after becoming a World Series champion.@MLBONFOX | @Brewers pic.twitter.com/7qVvNolHlJ
Trevor Megill handled the final two innings, allowing an RBI double to Chandler Simpson in the ninth before inducing Richie Palacios to ground out to second base for the final out. Catcher William Contreras earned World Series MVP honors after going 8-for-21 with four RBIs, while also mastering the Automated Ball-Strike System by successfully executing 10 challenges during the series.
Faith and Celebrations Take Center Stage for Pratt
Beyond his box score numbers, Pratt captured national attention during the postseason by celebrating Milwaukee’s series victories with orange Fanta and sparkling cider rather than traditional alcohol. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the 22-year-old maintained his personal standards throughout the team’s championship run.
Pratt became the first Latter-day Saint to win an MLB title since Jeremy Guthrie in 2015. Speaking after the final out, the rookie deflected individual praise toward his teammates and his faith.
It’s some of the hardest but most fun baseball I’ve ever been a part of. I messed up a lot of times this postseason, but the guys picked me up. We’re here and we’re world champions. It’s so special, man. I’m so blessed. I owe it all to my Heavenly Father.
Cooper PrattMLB debut in JuneWorld Series champion in October 😤 pic.twitter.com/z2CcRtST3r
For Milwaukee, the victory ends decades of postseason heartbreak, as Cooper Pratt sends his lumber from Games 4 and 5 to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Milwaukee = Cooper’s Town.Cooper Pratt knocked three go-ahead hits plus a rookie record six in a row, and he’s sending his Cooperstown Bat Company lumber from Games 4 and 5 back to its new forever home. pic.twitter.com/pyonp9oxMC
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