Dodgers Win 18-Inning Marathon to Beat Blue Jays, Lead 2-1

Under the bright lights of Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers clawed out a wild 6–5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in a World Series epic that dragged on for 18 innings. This marathon, one of the longest in Fall Classic history, had everything—heroics, heartbreak, and enough drama to leave fans breathless.

Both teams fought for every inch. Freddie Freeman’s walk-off shot and Shohei Ohtani’s offensive fireworks turned this game into a Dodgers milestone—a night that’ll stick in memory for years.

A Legendary World Series Marathon

The Dodgers now lead the World Series 2-1 after a contest that lasted an exhausting six hours and 39 minutes. Baseball rarely serves up a game with this many twists, momentum swings, and big-time individual performances.

Freddie Freeman’s Midnight Magic

With midnight closing in, Freddie Freeman stepped up in the bottom of the 18th and smashed a walk-off homer off Brendon Little. The sound of the bat sent Dodger Stadium into chaos, ending one of the most dramatic wins in franchise history.

Shohei Ohtani’s Offensive Showcase

If Freeman’s homer was the exclamation point, Shohei Ohtani’s night was the underlined statement. Ohtani reached base nine times, went deep twice, ripped two doubles, and Toronto just kept walking him on purpose.

His patience, power, and presence at the plate were on full display. Honestly, you couldn’t take your eyes off him.

A Test of Endurance and Strategy

Even Ohtani couldn’t dodge the wear and tear—he exited late with cramps. That’s a big deal, since he’s supposed to start Game 4, a moment that could swing the series for Los Angeles.

Toronto’s Resilient Effort

The Blue Jays didn’t go down easy. Alejandro Kirk blasted a three-run homer in the fourth, sparking a rally as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette chipped in with clutch hits.

Toronto kept the pressure on, but just couldn’t cash in when it counted.

Squandered Opportunities

Toronto left 19 runners on base. The Dodgers stranded 18. Both sides had plenty of chances to end this thing sooner, but nerves and tough pitching shut down rally after rally.

Pitching Depth Tested

Neither starter made it past the fourth. Dodgers’ righty Tyler Glasnow and Blue Jays ace Max Scherzer both exited early, so the bullpens had to figure it out.

Managers got creative, using pitchers in spots they rarely see.

Rookie Heroics and Veteran Poise

Rookie Will Klein had never thrown more than two innings in a pro game, but he gave the Dodgers four spotless frames and grabbed the win. In the 12th, veteran Clayton Kershaw came in with the bases loaded and handled it—maybe his last home outing in a Dodgers uniform, if you can believe it.

Impact Beyond the Box Score

This was more than a baseball game—it was a test of will. Players pushed through exhaustion, cramps, and pressure with every pitch.

Blue Jays outfielder George Springer left with a side issue. The Dodgers have to wonder about Ohtani’s fitness for the next one.

The Road Ahead

The Dodgers are just two wins away from another championship. Game 4 looms huge, with Ohtani’s start only adding to the drama—especially against a Toronto team desperate to even things up.

Key Takeaways From the 18-Inning Thriller

Fans are going to talk about this game for decades. It was a grueling test of skill and resolve, played under the brightest lights in baseball.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers outlast Blue Jays in classic, 18-inning Game 3 to take 2-1 lead in World Series