TORONTO | When you think about it, how could the World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, which will go down as one of the classics in baseball history, end differently than the seventh and final game?
In an absolutely crazy end to the game, in which two Blue Jays players were able to score in the bottom of the ninth inning before a curious double play, the Dodgers won 3 to 1. Just earlier, an automatic double was credited to Addison Barger when the ball strangely got stuck under the center field fence.
Otherwise, it was Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto who made the decider Friday night in Toronto.
On Saturday, still at Rogers Center, Los Angeles will try to win its second straight championship, the ninth in the organization's history. The Blue Jays and their fans from one end of Canada to the other are clinging to the hope of seeing the Toronto franchise win its first title in 32 years, dating back to back-to-back victories in 1992 and 1993.
Best Japanese?
Yamamoto was the one who at least delayed that outcome, once again handling the Blue Jays' hitters well in Game 6 of the Grand Final. If the Dodgers were to be crowned again, perhaps it would be the Japanese man with two wins in as many starts, rather than Shohei Ohtani, who might take the World Series MVP honors.
In Friday's game, Yamamoto allowed just one run in six innings of work. Encouraged by the crowd, Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman also started the game strong, striking out Ohtani, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman in order. A word for Kevin? Keep it up.
Gausman ultimately totaled eight strikeouts during his six-inning outing, during which he allowed three runs. Two of them led off on Mookie Betts' timely single with two outs in the top of the third.
The highest compliments must go to Yamamoto, the Emperor. He was also well supported by his relievers. A three-run lead after three innings was all the Dodgers needed, and… a little help from the center field fence.
The oldest on the mound
As for the Blue Jays, it has already been announced that 41-year-old veteran Max Scherzer will be the starting pitcher for Game 7. The striker could also play his last match of his career. It wouldn't be surprising if Trey Yesavage, 19 years younger, came on as a substitute at some point in the game.
Ohtani is believed to be able to give the Dodgers some starting opportunities. Good news for the Blue Jays: Yamamoto will not be available for Game 7 on Saturday night, even for one inning as a reliever. Not yet…
As a reminder, during Monday's 18th inning game in Los Angeles, Yamamoto was spotted warming up in the 17th inning in the Dodgers bullpen. Just two days after a full nine-inning game, the Japanese Gunner was indeed ready to take the mound if necessary to support his team.
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SUMMARY
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Addison Barger hits an automatic double when the ball he hits gets stuck under the center field fence.
An uneventful inning for the Dodgers, opening the door for the Blue Jays.
Alejandro Kirk hits a pitch and is sent to first base. Then Addison Barger hits a base hit and the ball gets stuck under the fence. So he automatically gets a double.
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George Springer is handcuffed but manages to hit a single along the boundary line.
Luis Varland forces Miguel Rojas to clear the ball and then leaves his place for Mason Fluharty, who has the difficult task of facing Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese throws a long double that hits the fence. Then the Blue Jays intentionally walk Will Smith. Freddie Freeman takes turns being sent off for a very high ball. Teoscar Hernandez strikes out.
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A perfect inning from reliever Louis Varland that forces Max Muncy and Tommy Edman to compromise. He also wears Kiké Hernandez's glove.
It was Ernie Clement's turn to hit a double for the Jays with two outs. One more player remains in scoring position. Justin Wrobleski knocks out Andres Jimenez.
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Kevin Gausman has retired 10 straight batters without a walk or a hit. Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez all left the game, and the Jays quickly returned to the game.
With two outs in the inning, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tries to wake up his teammates with a double. Bo Bichette draws a walk and now there are two men on base… who remain there as Dalton Varsho strikes out to end the inning.
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Another inning of at-bat that goes by quickly for the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani is one of three players removed, and he hit a hit to first base toward Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger are treated by Yoshinobu Yamamoto after being eliminated. Ernie Clement gets a single, then Andres Jimenez walks out.
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A perfect inning on the mound for Kevin Gausman, who forces all three Dodgers hitters to compromise.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto forces Dalton Varsho into a double play. Bo Bichette was the only Jays player on the trail after the single. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came out first and struck out.
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Tommy Edman hits the Dodgers' first hit of the game with a nice blast to right that goes over the glove of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kiké Hernandez was knocked out before him.
Dodgers 1 – Blue Jays 0: Kevin Gausman also passes Miguel Rojas on the glove before deliberately offering Shohei Ohtani the opportunity to face Will Smith. He hits a long double for the first point of the game.
Dodgers 3 – Blue Jays 0: Mookie Betts had all sorts of trouble hitting the ball during the World Series, but ultimately found success in a bases-loaded situation. His single to left allows Ohtani and Smith to cross the plate. Gausman struck out Teoscar Hernandez, his eighth victim of the day, to end the inning.
Addison Barger answers for the Jays with a nice double. Andres Jimenez then retires, promoting his teammate to the third pad.
Blue Jays 1 – Dodgers 3: The next batter, George Springer, managed to lift the ball to center field for Toronto's first run.
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The Dodgers are swinging on Kevin Gausman's most pitches, and it hasn't yielded good results so far. Mookie Betts settles for a weak throw, then Teoscar Hernandez lands on the arm. Max Muncy also struck out.
Bo Bichette, Dalton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk are out for the Jays.
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For the Blue Jays, George Springer is retired at first base. Wounded earlier in the series, the veteran grimaces somewhat as he takes his turn with the bat.
Nathan Lux then went to first base on an error by Max Muncy when the ball went under his glove. He and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were then eliminated from the game together.
The first batter of the game, Shohei Ohtani, is out! Starter Kevin Gausman treats Will Smith and Freddie Freeman equally to start the round off in the best way possible.
