Blue Jays Face Must-Win After Dodgers Claim 18-Inning Thriller

UPDATE: In an epic showdown, the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Toronto Blue Jays in a marathon 18-inning Game 3 of the World Series, leaving the Blue Jays in urgent need of a victory in Game 4. The game, lasting over six and a half hours, tied the record for the longest World Series game ever played, a feat last achieved at Dodger Stadium seven years ago.

The Dodgers secured a thrilling 6-5 win when Canadian star Freddie Freeman launched a home run to lead off the bottom of the 18th inning. With this victory, the Dodgers take a 2-1 series lead against the defending champions. “That could go down as one of the greatest games of all time,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Fans witnessed a gripping battle, with a capacity crowd of 52,654 on their feet for much of the game, including legendary Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, aged 89. Meanwhile, thousands of Blue Jays fans at a watch party in Toronto remained hopeful until the very end, watching the clock strike 2:50 a.m. on Tuesday.

The game began with the Dodgers taking an early lead, thanks to homers from Teoscar Hernández and Shohei Ohtani. However, the Blue Jays rallied back, scoring four runs in the fourth inning, including a three-run blast from Alejandro Kirk. Toronto built a 5-4 lead after a crucial error by Tommy Edman allowed two unearned runs to score.

The Dodgers fought back, tying the game at 5-5 in the seventh inning with Ohtani’s second solo shot of the night. “What matters the most is we won,” Ohtani stated through a translator after the game, emphasizing the need to move forward.

Looking ahead, the Blue Jays are set to pivot their strategy for Game 4, with pitcher Shane Bieber making his first World Series start at 8 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. He will face off against Ohtani on the mound, a critical matchup that could determine the series’ momentum. “The Dodgers didn’t win a World Series today,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “They won a game.”

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Toronto can bounce back and even the series. The stakes are high as the Blue Jays aim to reclaim their footing in this thrilling World Series matchup.