Sal Frelick Hits Game-Tying Home Run in World Series Game 2

Sal Frelick Hits Game-Tying Home Run to Spark Milwaukee Brewers in World Series Game 2

That was my favorite swing of the year. “It’s not even close,” relief pitcher Aaron Ashby said after Sal Frelick hit a game-tying home run in the sixth inning of the Milwaukee Brewers’ 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in World Series Game 2.

The 26-year-old outfielder entered the game with just four home runs during the entire regular season, making his sixth-inning solo shot off Rays left-hander Ian Seymour the most unlikely of turning points. Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth with the bases empty, Frelick battled through a nine-pitch plate appearance against a fellow Boston-area native before launching a 104.4 mph backspin liner to straightaway center field. The ball cleared the wall at American Family Field to tie the game at 4-4, erasing a 4-0 deficit and setting the stage for Cooper Pratt to drive in the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Frelick Hits Historic World Series Home Run

According to oasport.it, Frelick became the first player in World Series history to hit a home run in the Fall Classic after hitting four or fewer long balls during the entire preceding regular season. The blast was his first home run since July 11 and just the fourth of his career against a left-handed pitcher, including the postseason. Growing up in Lexington, Massachusetts, Frelick idolized Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz while attending games at Fenway Park, watching a VHS tape of the Red Sox’s 2004 championship run on repeat. After Saturday night’s win, the childhood fan found himself standing on the Fox broadcast panel alongside Ortiz, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez.

Frelick Manages Travel After World Series Win

Despite the adrenaline of a World Series victory that pushed Milwaukee to a 2-0 series lead, Frelick’s immediate priority after the final out was managing an early Sunday morning travel schedule. Not more than two hours after his historic swing, the outfielder was already checking flight times out of General Mitchell International Airport to ensure he could make it to Sunday mass before the team flew to Florida for the World Series in Tampa Bay. Brewers manager Pat Murphy and teammates regularly describe the 2024 Gold Glove winner as the team’s competitive catalyst and clubhouse glue guy, praising the relentless confidence that carried him through Saturday’s lengthy battle at the plate.

More on this story: Jacob Misiorowski Sets Fastest Pitch Record in World Series History · Brewers defeat Rays 5-4 to take 2-0 World Series lead

More on World Series: MLB World Series 2026: Freddy Peralta Faces Former Team Milwaukee Brewers · Milwaukee Brewers beat Dodgers to reach World Series · Will Brandon Woodruff Make the Brewers' World Series Roster?