With the potential tying run at the plate and runners on second and third in the ninth, Trevor Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca to secure the victory and give Milwaukee a 1-0 series lead.

The sellout crowd at American Family Field had already begun celebrating when Tampa Bay’s Liam Hicks grounded to the right side. Second baseman Brice Turang fielded the ball and threw to shortstop Cooper Pratt for a play initially ruled a game-ending double play. A video review found Pratt’s foot had come off the bag as he caught the throw, leaving Hicks out at first but putting the runners at second and third.

Milwaukee captain Christian Yelich said Megill had to regain his focus after the overturned call. “It’s a big credit to Trev for locking back in right there and making some huge pitches,” Yelich said.

The Rays had threatened after Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson opened the inning with consecutive singles against Megill. A double steal moved the runners into scoring position, and Junior Caminero walked to load the bases before Hicks’ grounder. Megill then ended the inning with DeLuca’s swinging strikeout.

Milwaukee built its lead with an early rally sparked by Yelich. Jackson Chourio singled on the first pitch of the game, and Yelich brought him home with a triple to center. William Contreras followed with an RBI single, putting the Brewers ahead 2-0 in the first. Chourio and Contreras each finished with two hits; Contreras also threw out two runners attempting to steal.

Tampa Bay cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth. Aranda walked and came around on Hicks’ groundout after Caminero doubled on a sharply hit ball that got past center fielder Garrett Mitchell. Milwaukee added an insurance run in the seventh when Chourio singled home Pratt, who had drawn a leadoff walk.

That run proved decisive. The Rays had not put a runner on base after the sixth until their ninth-inning rally.

Jacob Misiorowski earned the win, allowing one run and four hits in five innings. He opened the game with a 103.5 mph pitch to Yandy Díaz, the fastest pitch recorded in a World Series, and finished with three strikeouts. Nick Martinez started for Tampa Bay, giving up two runs over five innings while striking out five.

Milwaukee’s Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined for three scoreless innings before Megill entered. The Brewers had swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, giving them time to arrange their rotation and bullpen for the opener.

Friday’s game was Milwaukee’s first World Series home game since 1982. Both the Brewers and Rays are seeking their first championship, making this the first World Series between two title-seeking teams since 1980. Historically, the Game 1 winner has gone on to win the series 62.8% of the time.

“We still have a ways to go, but it’s nice to get that first one,” Yelich said.