LA Dodgers retain World Series after thrilling Game 7 win over Toronto Blue Jays

The Los Angeles Dodgers have retained the World Series title after clinching victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in a thrilling Game 7 that ended in extra innings.

The Dodgers did it the hard way, coming back from 3-0 and 4-2 down in the Blue Jays’ home stadium before Will Smith’s home run in the 11th inning put Los Angeles ahead for the first time in the game and helped secure their 5-4 victory. They had also trailed 3-2 in the best-of-seven series after Game 5.

“Man, they’re a special group of guys,” Smith said after the game. “We just never gave up, kept fighting, pitching our asses off, hitting, taking great at-bats. Finally punched through there. Man, that was a fight for seven games. That’s a really good Toronto Blue Jays team. I’m just excited. There’s nothing better than this.”

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw 96 pitches in the Dodgers’ victory in Game 6 on Friday, was brilliant again as he pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, including an escape when the Blue Jays loaded the bases in the ninth, to wrap up the Dodgers win.

“[Yamamoto] was the MVP of this series. That was incredible. I talked to him yesterday. I was like, ‘Hey, if you can give us one, we’re going to win.’ He gave us three. That was special,” said Smith. “He’ll have a few months off. I know he is going to need it, but yeah, I’m just happy for him. That was awesome.”

The Blue Jays looked like they were headed for their first World Series title in 32 years when they led 4-3 in the ninth but 36-year-old Miguel Rojas hit a game-tying home run with Toronto just two outs from victory.

“I was never trying to hit a home run,” said Rojas. “I think this is the first home run against a right-handed pitcher during the whole year and it came in the biggest part of my life and my career … I can’t really describe right now the emotions that I feel.”

By retaining the title, the Dodgers confirmed their status as baseball’s current dominant force. They have now won three championships since 2020 and are the first team to retain the World Series since the New York Yankees in 2000.

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