Rays win stunner on two Dodger errors, stumbling Randy Arozarena score in 9th

The 2020 World Series had been a solid competition, but there had not been a signature moment — until Saturday night. The Tampa Bay Rays won a stunner over the Los Angeles Dodgers courtesy of a wild two out play that saw a game-winning single, two Dodger errors, and a stumbling Randy Arozarena scoring from first to secure the victory.

Brett Phillips was down to his final strike after a pair of tough strike calls on the corners. With Arozarena on first and Kevin Kiermaier on second and two outs, Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen left a 1-2 pitch over the heart of the plate. Phillips drove it into center field likely setting up a play at the plate if center fielder Chris Taylor could get it in quickly. However, as Kiermaier rounded third, Taylor booted the ball. Kiermaier scored easily and the Rays waved around Aronzarena.

Taylor recovered and fired the ball toward home. As Max Muncy cut it off and relayed a throw to home, Arozarena was in the midst of stumbling and falling halfway between third and home. It was an easy out for catcher Will Smith, except Smith couldn’t make the play. He thought Aronzarena was closer than he was, so he began turning to make the tag before he had caught the ball. The ball grazed off his glove and bounced away, giving Arozarena enough time to recover and slide head first for the win.

The Rays won 8-7 to tie the series at two games apiece in one of the wildest World Series finishes in recent memory.