MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — In similar fashion to Game 1, bars and watch parties across the Milwaukee area were packed with anxious Brewers fans Saturday night for Game 2 of the World Series.

Things got quiet quickly as the Brewers surrendered four runs to the Tampa Bay Rays in the top of the first inning, but Milwaukee once again showed why it is never truly out of a game.

The Brewers immediately responded with two runs off Rays ace Drew Rasmussen in the bottom of the first, cutting the deficit in half.

David Hamilton brought Milwaukee within one with an RBI groundout in the fourth before Sal Frelick sent the crowd into a frenzy in the sixth. Frelick battled Ian Seymour through a nine-pitch at-bat before launching a solo home run over the center-field fence to tie the game at 4.

Rookie Cooper Pratt completed the comeback with a go-ahead single in the seventh, giving Milwaukee a 5-4 lead.

The Rays threatened in the ninth when Jonny DeLuca doubled off Aaron Ashby to lead off the inning. Victor Mesa Jr. then struck out after being unable to check his swing before pinch-hitter Ben Williamson grounded out, moving DeLuca to third.

With the tying run 90 feet away, Yandy Díaz struck out on a full-count check swing to end the game and send Milwaukee into celebration.

Hundreds of Brewers fans packed the Deer District in downtown Milwaukee, reacting to every pitch and erupting as the final out secured a 2-0 World Series lead.

"It's awesome, it's fun," Brewers fan and local teacher Emily Meritt said. "I'm actually a teacher, so to see my kids and everything and be like, 'Go Brewers, go Brewers,' it's really fun to be in the community and also in the community in a different way. It's really cool."

For some fans, the atmosphere outside the ballpark was the next best thing to being inside.

"I think this is just as good as being in the game," Brewers fan Max Zeitler said. "I had the opportunity to buy tickets — a little too much. This is just right. I love it. Everyone here is family."

The celebration stretched beyond downtown Milwaukee.

Fans packed Kegel's Inn in West Allis, where cheers erupted as the Brewers completed their second straight World Series victory.

"Oh! It feels so good to be born and raised in Wisconsin and see the Brewers go up 2-0," lifelong Wisconsin sports fan Cole Hanson said. "It's the happiest time of my life."

Mike Koch flew in from Poland to watch the World Series with family and friends.

"So happy," Koch said. "It was amazing, especially with family and friends. It was incredible."

Jim Koch was already looking ahead.

"It's absolutely perfect. Go Brewers!" he said. "I think we're going to do it in four."

The Brewers now take a 2-0 series lead on the road for Game 3 as fans hope Milwaukee can keep its postseason run going — and move one step closer to the first World Series championship in franchise history.