In a historic and marathon showdown, Freddie Freeman delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the World Series. This epic clash, lasting over six-and-a-half hours, tied the record for the longest postseason game in Major League Baseball history in terms of innings. The Dodgers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, with the next game set to take place at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.
Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani showcased his brilliance with two home runs, but it was Freeman, the 2024 World Series MVP, who stole the spotlight. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams exchanging leads and opportunities. Toronto initially surged ahead in the fourth inning, thanks to Alejandro Kirk’s three-run homer, but the Dodgers clawed back to tie the score at 4-4 in the fifth inning, fueled by Ohtani’s clutch hitting and Freeman’s RBI.
The Blue Jays regained the lead in the seventh inning, but Ohtani’s second homer of the night leveled the score again at 5-5. From there, the game descended into a tense stalemate, with both teams stranding multiple baserunners and failing to capitalize on loaded bases. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who had earlier apologized for complaining about travel delays, finally savored a hard-fought home victory.
The game also featured notable moments, including Ohtani being intentionally walked four times and veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw making a brief appearance in his final series before retirement. Ultimately, Freeman’s heroics in the 18th inning ended the marathon, leaving fans breathless and setting the stage for an intense Game 4.