TORONTO — The weight is over.
They carried it every day from February all the way into November. They were supposed to do this. They were supposed to win. They were supposed to be the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Yankees in 1998-2000. They were supposed to live up to the hyperbolic evaluations that pegged theirs as the most talented roster in baseball history.
It took a game-tying home run in the ninth inning (the first in World Series history) by Miguel Rojas, a game-winning home run by Will Smith in the 11th and 2⅔ innings of relief from Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Bulldog Mode fully engaged) to make all that come true with a 5-4 victory in Game 7 of the World Series.
It was a memorable World Series featuring two extra-inning games, shocking momentum shifts and game-saving defensive plays. But the Dodgers didn’t always look like the better team in the matchup. The Blue Jays played better defense overall, took better at-bats consistently and were better in the clutch over the seven games – except when it mattered most.
The Dodgers absorbed all that – just as they absorbed the injuries and inconsistencies of a long season to get here – and emerged as champions.
Like almost everything about this season, it didn’t go as planned. The Dodgers even found the limits of what Shohei Ohtani can do.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the decision to start Ohtani on short rest in Game 7 – a part of the Dodgers’ pre-Series discussions – was finalized after Game 6 on Friday night after a short conversation with Ohtani.
“Shohei, we don’t have long conversations,” Roberts said with a smile before Game 7.
It was only the second time in his career Ohtani had started on short rest. He followed a two-inning, rain-shortened start with seven scoreless innings three days later in April 2023 for the Angels.
The circumstances were far different Saturday night and Ohtani seemed off from the start.
He struggled with his command. Only half of his first 30 pitches were strikes. The Blue Jays put the first batter on base in each of the first three innings, putting stress on Ohtani.
He escaped the first two but gave up a three-run home run to Bo Bichette in the third inning.
Whatever master pitching plan the Dodgers had come up with to cover nine innings, it did not include Ohtani giving up a 110.1 mph laser that traveled 442 feet to straightaway center field for a three-run home run that put their stagnant offense in the trail position.
The Dodgers did answer back with a run in the fourth inning against Jays starter Max Scherzer but stranded two runners after back-to-back outstanding defensive plays by the Blue Jays – diving catches by Daulton Varsho in center field and Guerrero down the first base line.
Both benches – and bullpens – emptied in the fourth inning after Justin Wrobleski hit Gimenez with a pitch, adding some menace to the drama.
The Dodgers crawled within a run in the sixth inning and again on Max Muncy’s solo home run in the eighth.
Rojas finally got the Dodgers even with one out in the ninth inning when he worked the count full against Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman then lined a hanging slider over the wall in left field. It was only the second extra-base hit in 21 postseason games for Rojas, the first since another home run for the Miami Marlins in their 2020 National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.
They escaped a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the ninth, wasted their own in the top of the 10th and finally took their first lead of the night on Smith’s home run with two outs in the 11th.
More to come on this story.
Related Articles
PHOTOS: Dodgers, Blue Jays going extra innings in World Series Game 7 World Series Game 7: Dodgers at Blue Jays, lineups, starting pitchers, TV info Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani will start World Series Game 7 on the mound Alexander: Yes, Dodger fans, there will be 1 more World Series game Dodgers’ new-look lineup gets 4 hits in Game 6, but they come at right timeHence then, the article about dodgers win game 7 in 11 innings become first repeat world series champions in 25 years was published today ( ) and is available on Los Angeles Daily News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Dodgers win Game 7 in 11 innings, become first repeat World Series champions in 25 years )
Also on site :
- Disgraced former Centinela Valley schools Superintendent Jose Fernandez dies
- Gold Star Distribution Inc., Issues Recall of Certain FDA-Regulated Products in Three States Including Drugs, Devices, Cosmetics, Human Foods, and Pet Foods
- Tyler Perry Sued for Sexual Assault By New Accuser, an Actor in a ‘Madea’ Movie