The Los Angeles Dodgers won their second straight World Series title early Sunday, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays 5–4 in an 11-inning thriller at Rogers Centre.
Catcher Will Smith hit the decisive solo home run in the top of the 11th inning off Shane Bieber. Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, working on one day’s rest, sealed the win by forcing a game-ending double play.
The victory gave the Dodgers their ninth World Series title and made them the first repeat champions since the New York Yankees in 2000.
The Blue Jays were two outs from victory in the ninth inning when Miguel Rojas hit a game-tying home run off closer Jeff Hoffman. Toronto nearly won in the bottom half, but a close play at the plate was upheld after review, sending the game to extra innings.
Yamamoto, who pitched in relief after throwing 96 pitches the day before, was named World Series MVP. Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, and Blake Snell also appeared in relief as the Dodgers’ bullpen shut down Toronto’s offense after the third inning.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the loss “will hurt for a few weeks,” but praised his team’s fight throughout the series.
The Dodgers now return home with MLB’s first back-to-back championship in 25 years, keeping alive hopes of building a modern dynasty.
