Dodgers force World Series to decider with crucial 3-1 victory over Blue Jays
With Toronto threatening in the ninth — runners on second and third and no outs — Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow, originally scheduled to start Game 7, was brought into the game. Glasnow coolly hit a fly out to Ernie Clement before Andres Gimenez lined out to left field. Enrique “Kiké” Hernández caught the ball and fired to second base, where Miguel Rojas doubled off Addison Barger, securing the win.
“That was crazy,” Mookie Betts said of the late-game play. “I thought he was going to drop, but Kike made a great read. I was screaming ‘Two, two, two’ and he made it. That was a bad catch.”
Manager Dave Roberts said he had no hesitation in returning to Glasnow after Roki Sasaki’s difficult situation. “It’s do or die,” Roberts said. “You should leave it all there. Glasnow had his swing and run business, and I trusted him.”
Glasnow’s brief relief opens up the possibility of Shohei Ohtani pitching in Game 7. “It will definitely be part of the pitching plan,” Roberts confirmed. “It might be two or four shots. Let’s see how he feels.”
The Dodgers’ offense came to life in the third inning. After Kevin Gausman intentionally walked Ohtani, Will Smith doubled off Tommy Edman, and Betts followed with a two-run single — a big moment for the star outfielder, who entered the game batting just .130 in the series. George Springer drove in Toronto’s lone home run in the bottom of the third, but Yamamoto and the Dodgers bullpen stood firm to keep the season alive.
