LA Dodgers retain World Series after thrilling Game 7 win over Toronto Blue Jays | World Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers retained their World Series title after a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays that ended in extra innings.
The Dodgers did it the hard way, and while trailing 3-0 and 4-2 at home to the Blue Jays, Will Smith’s home run in the 11th inning put Los Angeles ahead for the first time in the game and helped them to a 5-4 victory. They were also down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series after Game 5.
“Man, they’re a special group of guys,” Smith said after the game. “We never gave up, we kept fighting, we threw our asses in the air, we made hits, we made great innings. We finally got it done. Man, it’s been a seven-game campaign. This is a really good Toronto Blue Jays team. I’m just excited. There’s nothing better than this.”
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw 96 innings in the Dodgers’ victory in Friday’s Game 6, had another great performance, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings; this included his home run when the Blue Jays loaded the bases in the ninth to seal the win for the Dodgers.
“[Yamamoto] became the MVP of this series. This was incredible. I talked to him yesterday. I said, ‘Hey, if you can give us one, we’ll win.’ He gave us three. That was very special,” Smith said. “He’ll be off for a few months. I know he’s going to need it, but yeah, I’m happy for him. “This was amazing.”
The Blue Jays appeared to be headed for their first World Series title in 32 years when they took a 4-3 lead in the ninth, but 36-year-old Miguel Rojas hit a home run as Toronto tied for the victory by just two outs.
“I never tried to score,” Rojas said. “I think that was the first home run against a right-handed pitcher all year, and that’s been the biggest part of my life and career… I can’t really describe the emotions I’m feeling right now.”
By retaining their title, the Dodgers confirmed their status as baseball’s current dominant force. They have won three championships since 2020 and became the first team since the New York Yankees in 2000 to capture the World Series.
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