Nick Fortes’ ninth-inning double lifts Rays past Brewers 3-2 at American Family Field

Rays break late tie with two outs, handing Milwaukee a narrow home loss

The Milwaukee Brewers’ early-season run at American Family Field took a hit Tuesday night, March 31, as the Tampa Bay Rays pulled out a 3-2 victory on a two-out, go-ahead double in the ninth inning.

With the score tied entering the final frame, Tampa Bay put pressure on Milwaukee closer Trevor Megill and capitalized when Nick Fortes lined a two-out double to center field to drive in the eventual winning run. The hit snapped the deadlock and proved decisive in a game where both teams largely limited sustained rallies.

How the game turned late

Milwaukee carried a 3-1 record into the night and had opened the season with a string of wins at home, while Tampa Bay arrived looking to build momentum after splitting its first four games. The matchup also featured two established starters—left-hander Shane McClanahan for the Rays and right-hander Brandon Woodruff for the Brewers—setting the stage for a low-scoring contest.

The Brewers’ bullpen had been a strength through the first week, but the ninth inning swung on a single extra-base hit. Fortes’ double came with two outs, narrowing the margin for error and turning what had been a one-inning sprint into a finish Tampa Bay could close out.

What the result says about both clubs

For Milwaukee, the loss underscored the fine line in one-run games: timely hitting and late execution can outweigh overall contact or innings controlled earlier in the night. The Brewers have leaned on power and run production in the season’s opening days, but Tuesday’s outcome reflected how quickly that advantage can be neutralized when scoring opportunities are limited.

For Tampa Bay, the victory reinforced a formula the Rays often pursue: staying close, avoiding defensive mistakes, and waiting for a high-leverage at-bat to decide the game. Fortes’ ninth-inning swing delivered that moment, and the Rays converted it into a road win.

Key facts

• Final score: Rays 3, Brewers 2.
• Date and venue: March 31, 2026, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
• Decisive play: Nick Fortes’ two-out, go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning.
• Pitching finish: Trevor Megill was charged with the late go-ahead hit.

In a one-run game, the final inning often becomes a referendum on execution under pressure; Tuesday’s was decided by a single two-out extra-base hit.

The teams continued their series with the immediate task for Milwaukee being clear: convert more of the limited scoring chances created, and protect late ties against a Rays lineup built to punish small openings.