Dodgers edge Blue Jays in Game 7 thriller to clinch back-to-back World Series titles

The Los Angeles Dodgers have etched their name into baseball history once again, clinching their second consecutive World Series title and ninth overall in Major League Baseball.

In a dramatic Game 7 showdown at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, catcher Will Smith emerged as the hero, launching a solo home run in the 11th inning to seal the victory. Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto capped off the night with a clutch performance to complete the feat.

Under the leadership of manager Dave Roberts, the Dodgers have developed a knack for winning on the road. Last year, they celebrated at Yankee Stadium. This time, they silenced a raucous Canadian crowd in Toronto. Their fans back in Los Angeles are ready to welcome the champions home once again.

Ohtani vs. Scherzer: A duel for the ages

Game 7 featured a marquee pitching matchup between Shohei Ohtani and Max Scherzer - two warriors built for the biggest stage. After two relatively quiet innings, the bottom of the third proved to be the turning point.

George Springer led off with a single and advanced to third. Roberts opted to intentionally walk Vladimir Guerrero Jr., setting the stage for Bo Bichette. Having missed the entire postseason due to injury, Bichette returned just in time for the World Series - and made his presence felt. With runners on the corners, he crushed a slider from Ohtani deep into the second deck, sending Rogers Centre into a frenzy as three runs crossed the plate.

Blue Jays flash the leather

The Dodgers responded in the top of the fourth, loading the bases and threatening to shift momentum. But Toronto’s defense rose to the occasion. Daulton Varsho made a leaping grab to rob Teoscar Hernández of a hit, and Guerrero Jr. followed with a diving stop at first to limit the damage to just one run.

Tensions boiled over in the bottom of the fourth when Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski hit Andrés Giménez, prompting both benches to clear. Cooler heads prevailed, but the crowd was electric, feeding off every moment.

Scherzer’s night ended in the fourth after 4.1 innings of work, allowing one run with three strikeouts and a walk. Louis Varland took over and made history with his 15th postseason appearance - a new MLB record.

Dodgers keep chipping away

Chris Bassitt took the mound in the sixth and faced immediate trouble. With runners on the corners and one out, Tommy Edman lifted a sacrifice fly to bring the Dodgers within one. Bassitt escaped further damage, preserving a 3-2 lead.

Toronto’s defense needed offensive support, and Giménez delivered. With a runner in scoring position, the Venezuelan laced a slider from Tyler Glasnow into center field for an RBI double, extending the Blue Jays’ lead to 4-2.

Yesavage shines, but Dodgers won’t go quietly

Toronto turned to 22-year-old phenom Trey Yesavage in the seventh. Despite walking Ohtani, the rookie held firm. He returned in the eighth and retired Mookie Betts, but Max Muncy reignited the Dodgers with a solo shot to left, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

In the ninth, Miguel Rojas came through with a clutch solo homer to left, tying the game at 4-4 and stunning the home crowd.

Toronto had a golden opportunity in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded. But Rojas made a heads-up play to force out Isiah Kiner-Falefa at home, and Andy Pagés made a fearless catch at the wall - colliding with Kiké Hernández - to end the inning.

Will Smith delivers the knockout blow

With the game headed to extra innings, the tension was palpable. In the top of the tenth, the Dodgers loaded the bases, but Toronto escaped unscathed thanks to a groundout from Kiké Hernández and a heads-up play by Guerrero Jr. and reliever Seranthony Domínguez.

Then came the 11th. Smith, wearing No. 16, stepped up and launched a solo blast to left field, silencing Rogers Centre and sending the Dodgers dugout into a frenzy.

Toronto had one last chance in the bottom half. Guerrero Jr. reached third, but Alejandro Kirk grounded into a double play to end the game - and the series. The final out at first base sealed the Dodgers’ championship, completing one of the most dramatic Game 7s in recent memory.

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