This pivotal moment in Game 6 of the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays series could’ve swung the entire postseason. Manager Dave Roberts addressed a ninth-inning defensive miscue involving center fielder Justin Dean, whose handling of a lodged ball nearly gave Toronto a shot to snatch momentum.
Instead, thanks to a timely umpire decision and a lockdown pitching performance from Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles held firm. The Dodgers forced a winner-take-all Game 7, with Shohei Ohtani set to take the mound for the reigning champs.
Crucial Ninth-Inning Play Sparks Confusion
In the bottom of the ninth, Toronto’s Addison Barger ripped a double into the gap between left and center. The ball wedged itself at the base of the wall, and uncertainty hit the field instantly.
Things got weirder when both Kiké Hernandez and Justin Dean threw their hands up to signal a dead ball. Meanwhile, Toronto’s Myles Straw just kept tearing around the bases.
Understanding the “Lodged Ball” Rule
MLB rules say fielders need to try to play a lodged ball right away. The call can be reviewed afterward, but if you hesitate and the ruling goes against you, runners can advance.
Roberts later explained that Dean recognized the situation but played it safe, which led to that brief, heart-pounding moment where it looked like Toronto might break through.
Hernandez Takes Charge Amid Chaos
Kiké Hernandez, out in left, said he reacted first—hand up, yelling—to signal the ball was stuck. In the chaos, he also shouted at Dean to just grab it, worried the umpires might not immediately call a ground-rule double.
He yelled so much and so loud that Hernandez admitted he lost his voice by the end of the inning. That’s playoff baseball for you.
Umpires Preserve Dodgers’ Lead
The umpires stepped in and called the play dead almost instantly. Toronto’s runners stayed put, and the Dodgers clung to their narrow lead.
Roberts praised the officials for getting it right but said the team would revisit how they handle lodged balls, just in case this kind of scare pops up again.
Glasnow Slams the Door
Roberts made a gutsy call and brought in starter Tyler Glasnow out of the bullpen. Glasnow, with no room for mistakes, mowed down three straight batters and locked up the win.
Momentum Heading Into Game 7
That wild finish threw all eyes toward Game 7. For Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani is set to start—yeah, the two-way superstar, looking to deliver another World Series ring.
Toronto knows what’s at stake. They’ve got to find a way to break the Dodgers’ momentum and quiet that raucous home crowd.
Key Takeaways From Game 6
Game 6 hammered home a few lessons about postseason baseball’s tiny margins:
- Defensive Awareness: Players have to act fast on lodged balls or risk disaster.
- Communication: Loud, clear signals between teammates can flip an inning on its head.
- Managerial Boldness: Roberts showed guts and flexibility by turning to Glasnow out of the pen.
- Umpire Judgment: Quick, sharp rulings matter when everything’s on the line.
Looking Ahead
Game 7 isn’t just another game—it’s the payoff for months of grind, a handful of unforgettable plays, and a shot at history. Ohtani’s on the mound, the Dodgers are loaded with October experience, and yeah, they’re still the slight favorites.
But honestly, Toronto’s already shown they can make things messy for the champs. Would you bet against another wild finish?
The Final Chapter Awaits
In the postseason, fortunes can swing on a single lodged ball. Sometimes, it’s a last-inning strikeout that changes everything.
For Dave Roberts and his squad, that ninth-inning miscue in Game 6 might just be the wake-up call they needed. Maybe it sharpens their focus at the perfect moment.
Fans won’t have to wait long. All eyes will be on the diamond as Game 7 finally decides who gets to lift the trophy.
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Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Said Justin Dean Actually Misplayed Ball That Changed Game 6
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