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Brewers win Game 2 after check-swing call stands

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 10:49 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Brewers Beat Rays

Milwaukee Brewers beat Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Game 2 after umpire James Hoye ruled a check swing a swing.
Because check-swing calls cannot be reviewed, the Rays could not challenge the decision.
MLB tested check-swing challenges in the 2024 Arizona Fall League and added them to Single-A and Triple-A in 2025.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said in June 2025 MLB had not decided on major-league check-swing challenges.

Summary

Ashby Extends Streak

The Brewers earned their seventh 2026 postseason comeback win, closing in toward the all-time record.
Aaron Ashby extended his postseason scoreless streak to 15.2 innings, matching Goose Gossage’s record.
First-base umpire James Hoye, a three-time World Series crew member, served as crew chief for the 2026 Series.
Analysts said the Brewers forced deep counts, highlighted by Sal Frelick’s nine-pitch home run.

History

Historical Context

Since MLB merged its leagues into a single entity in 2000, Commissioner Rob Manfred has overseen technology upgrades such as Statcast in 2020 and a pitch-clock in 2023. The 2026 Brewers-Rays check-swing dispute revives calls to broaden replay, echoing earlier shift-ban debates that saw usage rise from 13.7% in 2016 to 33.6% in 2022.

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Brewers Beat Rays

Milwaukee Brewers beat Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Game 2 after umpire James Hoye ruled a check swing a swing.
Because check-swing calls cannot be reviewed, the Rays could not challenge the decision.
MLB tested check-swing challenges in the 2024 Arizona Fall League and added them to Single-A and Triple-A in 2025.
Commissioner Rob Manfred said in June 2025 MLB had not decided on major-league check-swing challenges.

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