In an unforgettable display of resilience and star power, the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays in an epic 18-inning World Series Game 3, securing a 6-5 walk-off victory thanks to Freddie Freeman’s dramatic home run and a historic night from Shohei Ohtani, seizing a crucial 2-1 series lead.
Baseball fans witnessed history unfold on Monday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays battled through an astounding 18 innings in Game 3 of the 2025 World Series. The marathon contest, which lasted 6 hours and 39 minutes, concluded with Freddie Freeman’s game-ending home run, giving the Dodgers a pivotal 6-5 victory and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. This monumental game tied the record for the longest World Series game in history, a record previously set in 2018, also at Dodger Stadium, against the Boston Red Sox.
Freddie Freeman Delivers the Ultimate Walk-Off
The tension was palpable as the game stretched into its sixth extra frame. In the bottom of the 18th, with the score tied 5-5, Freddie Freeman stepped to the plate. Against left-hander Brendon Little (0-2), Freeman launched a leadoff home run, a 406-foot shot that sent Dodger Stadium into a frenzy and secured the dramatic win. The blast made a winner of Dodgers right-hander Will Klein (1-0), who had delivered four scoreless innings of relief with five strikeouts, allowing only one hit, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Shohei Ohtani’s Unprecedented Performance
While Freeman delivered the final blow, Shohei Ohtani had already etched his name into postseason lore with a performance for the ages. Ohtani blasted two home runs, one in the third inning and another in the seventh, bringing his total to five homers in his last two home playoff games. Beyond his power, Ohtani displayed incredible plate discipline, drawing five walks (four intentional) and adding two doubles. He reached base a postseason record nine times, showcasing his unparalleled ability to impact a game, a feat highlighted by Field Level Media reports.
This stellar outing marked Ohtani’s eighth home run of the postseason and his third of the World Series, further solidifying his status as one of the most impactful players in baseball history. Fans were left in awe of his sustained brilliance throughout the grueling contest, especially considering the high stakes of a World Series game.
A Relentless Pitching Duel and Record-Breaking Bullpen Efforts
The 18-inning affair was as much a testament to pitching endurance as it was to offensive heroics. The Dodgers set a World Series record by using 10 pitchers. Seldom-used right-handers Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein combined for six scoreless innings, holding the line when it mattered most. Even veteran ace Clayton Kershaw made a brief, crucial appearance, recording one out in the 12th inning to escape a bases-loaded jam.
The Blue Jays also showcased their bullpen depth, utilizing nine pitchers, with left-hander Eric Lauer delivering 4 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. In total, 19 pitchers took the mound, throwing an incredible 609 pitches, demonstrating the sheer will and depth of both teams to avoid defeat. This marathon also set records for 37 total stranded runners and 153 batters coming to the plate, underscoring the relentless nature of the contest.
Back-and-Forth Battle: Key Moments in a Thrilling Contest
Game 3 was a seesaw battle from start to finish:
- The Dodgers took an early 1-0 lead in the second on Teoscar Hernandez’s home run, his fifth of the postseason.
- Ohtani’s first homer in the third extended the lead to 2-0.
- The Blue Jays responded with a four-run fourth, featuring a three-run home run from Alejandro Kirk and a sacrifice fly from Andres Gimenez, taking a 4-2 lead.
- The Dodgers tied it 4-4 in the fifth with an Ohtani RBI double and a Freeman RBI single.
- After George Springer departed with an injury in the seventh, the Blue Jays pulled ahead 5-4 on a single from Guerrero and an RBI single from Bichette.
- Ohtani’s second homer of the night in the seventh tied the score again at 5-5, setting the stage for the extra-inning drama.
Defensively, Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman made critical plays, throwing out Isiah Kiner-Falefa attempting to advance to third in the ninth and nabbing Davis Schneider at home to end the top of the 10th on a relay from Hernandez. In the 15th, Dalton Varsho’s spectacular jumping catch at the wall in left-center temporarily denied Freeman a walk-off homer, only prolonging the inevitable.
Series Implications and What’s Next for the Teams
This grueling 18-inning victory gives the Dodgers immense momentum and a 2-1 series lead, but it also comes with a significant physical cost. Both bullpens were pushed to their limits, potentially impacting pitching availability for subsequent games. The Blue Jays, who won Game 1 convincingly with 11 runs before dropping two straight, now face a must-win Game 4. The injury to key outfielder George Springer adds another layer of concern for Toronto.
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday at Los Angeles, featuring a highly anticipated pitching matchup between Shohei Ohtani and Toronto’s right-hander Shane Bieber. Following an 18-inning marathon, both teams will need to dig deep, but the Dodgers’ stars proved they could rise to the occasion under the most extreme pressure. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in this World Series.
