The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in overtime in the decisive Game 7 of the World Series, winning back-to-back Major League Baseball championships for the first time in 25 years.
Miguel Rojas hit a game-tying home run in the 9th inning, and the Dodgers were cornered with only 2 outs left, but Will Smith hit a solo home run off Shane Bieber in the 11th inning, scoring the game-winning run.
The Blue Jays, aiming to win the World Series for the first time in 32 years, had a chance with one out and one on first and third base, but the game ended when Alejandro Kirk grounded into a double play.
Los Angeles overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-2 to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000, and the first to win the National League since the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976.
Smith hit a 2-0 slider off Shane Bieber into the Blue Jays’ left bullpen, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the night.
“You dream about that moment, leading your team in overtime. I’ll remember it forever,” Smith said.
Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw 96 pitches in the Dodgers’ victory on Friday, escaped from a pinch with the bases loaded in the 9th inning and threw 43 pitches in 2 2/3 innings to earn his third win of the series.
In the 11th inning, he allowed a leadoff double to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but was forced into a sacrifice fly to third base. Addison Berger elected to walk, and Alejandro Kirk grounded out with a broken bat to shortstop Mookie Betts, starting a title-winning 6-4-3 double play and ending the 150th major league season, the first to begin and end outside the United States.
Los Angeles used all four postseason starting pitchers, adding Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell in addition to Yamamoto.
Shohei Ohtani (back center) and teammates celebrate the Dodgers’ victory.
“We have a special group, man,” Smith said. “We never gave up. Man, it was a seven-game battle.”
The Dodgers won their ninth championship and third in six years, making the case that the 2020s team should be considered a dynasty. Dave Roberts, his manager since 2016, has increased his chances of becoming a Hall of Famer.
