The LA Dodgers celebrated a thrilling victory on October 28, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in a dramatic 18-inning battle during Game 3 of the World Series. The game showcased outstanding performances, particularly from Shohei Ohtani, who delivered two home runs and made history by reaching base nine times throughout the match.
In front of a spirited crowd at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers started strong with solo home runs from Teoscar Hernández and Ohtani. However, Toronto quickly countered, taking the lead with a three-run homer from Alejandro Kirk following a crucial error by Tommy Edman. The score swung back and forth, as the Dodgers fought back to tie the game with Ohtani’s impressive double and Freddie Freeman’s equalizing hit.
The game entered a tense phase where both teams traded runs until the seventh inning, with each adding a single point. Despite multiple opportunities, neither team scored in the following ten innings, highlighting the pitching prowess of both bullpens. Dodger veteran Clayton Kershaw rose to the challenge, escaping a critical jam in the 12th inning.
Ohtani, who recorded four hits in the contest, became a pivotal force, especially as the game extended into extra innings. With the bases loaded and the game still tied in the 17th, both teams fought hard to break the deadlock, but each opportunity was thwarted.
It wasn’t until the bottom of the 18th that the decisive moment arrived. Freeman, leading off, hit a stunning walk-off home run off left-hander Brandon Little, securing a spot in World Series history as the first player to hit two walk-off homers in the championship series. This victory placed the Dodgers ahead in the series with a record of 2-1 as they inch closer to a possible second consecutive World Series title.
As the dust settled on this grueling 6-hour and 39-minute game, Ohtani expressed his eagerness to rest, indicating he was set to pitch again in Game 4. Given the extraordinary length of the game, concerns about his stamina and condition for the next match emerged, making his performance a key focus moving forward.
The Dodgers’ remarkable resilience and strategic gameplay, combined with standout performances from Ohtani and Freeman, painted a hopeful picture as they strive for baseball’s ultimate prize once again.