Yamamoto, Dodgers Bullpen Force World Series Game 7

The Los Angeles Dodgers kept their championship hopes alive with a gritty 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the World Series. They forced a do-or-die Game 7.

Tension ran high all night. The Dodgers leaned on clutch hitting and some wild defensive moments to get the job done.

All the scoring happened in a chaotic third inning. Both starting pitchers looked sharp, but the ninth-inning defense stole the show and flipped the script.

Dodgers Strike Early in the Third Inning

Runs were hard to come by. The third inning, though, changed everything.

Mookie Betts came through with a huge two-run single. That’s the kind of hit that October baseball is all about.

Toronto answered right away. George Springer knocked in their only run, and the Rogers Centre crowd went wild, hoping for more.

The Dodgers’ pitchers held their ground. Toronto couldn’t build on that spark.

Battle of the Aces

Both starters brought their best stuff. Yoshinobu Yamamoto commanded the zone for six innings, mixing his pitches and keeping Toronto guessing.

Kevin Gausman matched him on the other side. He leaned on his splitter, got weak contact, and stranded runners when it mattered.

Neither ace let the game get away from them. They gave their teams a real shot to win late.

The Ninth Inning Drama That Changed Everything

The third inning had the bats, but the ninth? Pure chaos. Dodgers reliever Roki Sasaki came in and immediately hit Alejandro Kirk.

Then Addison Barger ripped what looked like a game-tying drive. The ball got stuck under the outfield padding.

Ground-Rule Double Confusion

Fans thought Barger had an inside-the-park homer. The umpires ruled it a ground-rule double instead.

That decision kept the Dodgers ahead. Toronto had runners on second and third, just one out, and the tension was almost unbearable.

Tyler Glasnow Shuts the Door

Dave Roberts made a gutsy call and brought in Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow got Ernie Clement to pop out, keeping the tying run at third.

Kiké Hernández’s Defensive Masterclass

Next up, Andres Gimenez hit a rocket that looked destined for the outfield. Enrique “Kiké” Hernández charged in and snagged it.

He didn’t stop there. Hernández doubled off Barger at second, ending the game with a jaw-dropping double play—only the eighth time that’s happened in a World Series elimination game.

A Win Built on Instincts and Nerve

Afterward, Roberts couldn’t help but praise Hernández: “That’s a play only a veteran makes,” he said. That moment really summed up the Dodgers’ attitude—calm, ready, and not giving an inch.

Series Heads to a Winner-Take-All Game

The win sets up a Game 7 for the 2024 World Series. It’s the kind of finale fans dream about, full of late-inning drama and big defensive plays.

Both teams have shown guts. Now, everyone’s just waiting for one last unforgettable game.

Key Takeaways from Game 6

Highlights from the Dodgers’ Game 6 win:

• Mookie Betts delivers a clutch two-run single in the third inning.
• George Springer provides Toronto’s lone RBI.
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Kevin Gausman both throw six strong innings.
• Ninth-inning ground-rule double stops a potential game-tying run.
• Kiké Hernández seals it with a historic double play.

Looking Ahead

Game 7 is shaping up to be a wild, high-stakes showdown. Every pitch, swing, and defensive play could end up in the history books.

The Dodgers just pulled off a gritty win, and maybe that’s the push they need. For the Blue Jays, the challenge is right in front of them—they’ve got to regroup and bring the energy back home for one last shot.

After 30 years covering baseball, I have to admit, this series has given fans just about everything: tension, raw talent, and moments you can’t forget. Now, everyone’s attention is glued to the deciding game. This is where legends are born, isn’t it?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yamamoto, bullpen repel Jays to force Game 7