TORONTO (AP) — In a thrilling showdown, Yoshinobu Yamamoto led the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers to victory over the Toronto Blue Jays for the second time in just a week. The Dodgers secured a 3-1 win on Friday night, forcing the World Series to a decisive Game 7. This victory was marked by a pivotal performance from Mookie Betts, who, despite a recent slump, contributed a two-run single during a three-run third inning.
Yamamoto, while not as dominant as in his previous Game 2 performance where he pitched a complete game four-hitter, still managed to last six innings, allowing only one run. This run came from an RBI single by George Springer, who made a comeback after missing two games due to an injury to his right side. The Dodgers showcased their strength from the bullpen, with rookie relievers Justin Wrobleski and Roki Sasaki combining for six outs before Tyler Glasnow emerged from the bullpen to escape a ninth-inning jam.
Glasnow's performance was nothing short of remarkable; he needed only three pitches to secure the win. With runners on second and third and no outs, he managed to get Ernie Clement to pop up for an easy out. Following this, Andrés Giménez hit a line drive to left field, which led to an incredible game-ending double play executed by Kiké Hernández. Hernández caught the ball on the run in shallow left-center and fired to second base, where Miguel Rojas made a remarkable pick of a one-hop throw to complete the double play, marking the first 7-4 game-ending double play in postseason history according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“I was playing a little more shallow than the card wanted me to. But given the situation, I was ready to play really, really shallow,” Hernández explained. “I had no idea where the ball was because it was in the lights the whole time, but I was committed to making the play.”
The ninth inning was tense, with Sasaki hitting Alejandro Kirk with an 0-2 pitch to begin the inning, followed by Barger hitting a ground-rule double that got wedged at the bottom of the wall. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made the strategic decision to bring in Glasnow at that critical moment. “I felt Roki wasn’t as sharp, and I wanted to bet on Glasnow because he has swing-and-miss stuff,” Roberts commented.
As the Dodgers aim for their third title in six seasons, they will be looking to become the first team to win consecutive titles since the New York Yankees achieved this feat from 1998-2000. This thrilling series has been a showcase of talent, with Max Scherzer slated to start Game 7 for the Blue Jays. Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, previously started in the last World Series Game 7, where he earned a no-decision as Washington clinched the title against Houston in 2019.
“These guys are really good at turning the page,” remarked Toronto manager John Schneider. “It’s a wild ending, but I love the way we played.” As for Glasnow, he was initially lined up to start for the Dodgers, but his performance out of the bullpen was crucial. The Dodgers are eager to demonstrate their dominance and secure their legacy as a dynasty in baseball.
Yamamoto, at just 27 years old and in his second season with the Dodgers, has been a significant asset, holding a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts. Despite his recent success, he faced a formidable challenge from Kevin Gausman, who struck out eight batters in the first three innings, matching a Series record. Betts, who had been struggling in the Series, managed to break through with a crucial hit that ended an 0-for-13 streak with the bases loaded.
As the Blue Jays continue their quest for their first World Series title since 1993, they donned their powder blue uniforms at home, hoping to channel the winning energy from previous games. With the stakes at their highest, Game 7 promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to this gripping World Series.
