In one of the longest and most dramatic games in World Series history, the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18-inning epic thanks to Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run, while Toronto was left to rue numerous squandered chances and a depleted batting order.
Dodger Stadium bore witness to a historic spectacle as Game 3 of the 2025 World Series unfolded into a grueling 18-inning marathon. Spanning six hours and 39 minutes, the contest tied for the longest World Series game by innings in Fall Classic history, a record previously set by the Dodgers themselves in 2018. When the dust finally settled in the early hours of Tuesday, it was Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman who delivered the decisive blow, a walk-off home run that gave Los Angeles a 6-5 victory and a 2-1 series lead. For the Toronto Blue Jays, however, the epic battle concluded in crushing defeat, marked by a litany of missed opportunities and strategic setbacks.
Early Fireworks and Shifting Leads
The game began with a flurry of scoring, far from the pitching duel it would later become. Former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernández ignited the scoreboard for the Dodgers with a solo homer in the second inning, followed by Shohei Ohtani’s first home run of the night, giving Los Angeles an early 2-0 lead. True to their resilient form, the Blue Jays quickly mounted a comeback in the fourth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walked, Bo Bichette singled, and then Alejandro Kirk launched a three-run home run off Tyler Glasnow to put Toronto ahead 3-2. An RBI sacrifice fly from Andrés Giménez extended their lead to 4-2.
The Dodgers countered in the fifth. Left-handed reliever Mason Fluharty was brought in to face Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, but both lefties delivered, with Ohtani hitting an RBI double and Freeman following with an RBI single, knotting the game at 4-4.
In the seventh, the Blue Jays regained the lead when Guerrero Jr. scored from first on a single by Bichette, beating the throw home to make it 5-4. But the lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the frame, Ohtani once again showcased his brilliance, crushing his second home run of the game, a missile to left-center field, tying the game again at 5-5. This would be the final run scored for the next eleven innings.
Ohtani’s Unforgettable, Record-Setting Night
While the final heroics belonged to Freeman, it was Shohei Ohtani who captivated the baseball world with a performance for the ages. The Dodgers superstar recorded an astounding four extra-base hits in a single World Series game—two home runs and two doubles—a feat only achieved once before, by Frank Isbell of the 1906 White Sox. His power surge was so formidable that, after his second homer, Blue Jays manager John Schneider intentionally walked him four times, setting a new postseason record. In total, Ohtani was on base nine times in nine plate appearances, a testament to his unparalleled offensive presence.
As Yahoo Sports highlighted, Ohtani’s exceptional night further solidified his status as baseball’s most brilliant player, even as he expressed a desire for sleep to prepare for his Game 4 pitching start.
Blue Jays’ Downfall: A String of Missed Chances
For the Blue Jays, the 18-inning epic was a frustrating narrative of missed opportunities and self-inflicted wounds. Toronto made several critical baserunning errors throughout the game:
- Bo Bichette was picked off at first base in the second inning after mistaking a late strike call for ball four.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa was thrown out at third base in the ninth, attempting to advance on a line drive that deflected off Freeman’s glove.
- Davis Schneider was thrown out at home in the 10th inning, trying to score from first on a Nathan Lukes double into the right-field corner.
Beyond baserunning, pitching decisions proved costly. In the fifth, lefty reliever Mason Fluharty struggled against Ohtani and Freeman, allowing the Dodgers to tie the game. Later, in the seventh, despite heavy advice, Seranthony Dominguez left a first-pitch fastball in the middle of the plate for Ohtani, resulting in the game-tying home run.
Injuries and Strategic Substitutions
The Blue Jays’ lineup also became significantly diminished as the game wore on, a factor that profoundly impacted their ability to score in extra innings. This depletion was a result of both unfortunate luck and strategic choices by manager John Schneider:
- Star leadoff hitter George Springer left the game in the seventh inning after injuring his right oblique on a foul ball, forcing Ty France (who hadn’t played since September 21) into action.
- Schneider opted to pinch-run for Bo Bichette with Kiner-Falefa in the seventh, aiming to manage Bichette’s workload due to a left knee injury.
- In the eighth, Myles Straw pinch-ran for Addison Barger, and later, backup catcher Tyler Heineman replaced Alejandro Kirk (who had walked) in the 12th for better wheels.
These substitutions meant that four of Toronto’s best hitters were no longer in the game for the majority of the extra innings. As Yahoo Sports detailed, the hitters who replaced Springer, Bichette, Barger, and Kirk combined for a meager 2-for-17 with six strikeouts, a significant downgrade that undoubtedly contributed to Toronto’s inability to break the 5-5 stalemate.
Bullpen Heroes and Kershaw’s Dramatic Appearance
Despite early season struggles, both bullpens rose to the occasion in the extra innings, combining for 26 ⅔ innings of four-run ball. Dodgers’ Will Klein, the last reliever on the roster, delivered four masterful innings, allowing only one hit and earning the win. For the Blue Jays, Eric Lauer was particularly impressive, tossing an unthinkable 4 ⅔ scoreless frames.
A poignant moment arrived in the 12th inning when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts summoned future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw from the bullpen. With the bases loaded and two outs, Kershaw, in potentially the final days of his legendary career, faced Nathan Lukes. After an intense eight-pitch battle, Kershaw induced a soft groundout to second baseman Tommy Edman, preserving the tie and sending the crowd into a frenzy. His wife, Ellen, was visibly emotional in the stands, reflecting the immense pressure and significance of the moment.
Freeman’s Walk-Off and the Road Ahead
After four hours of scoreless baseball, the game culminated in the 18th inning. Freddie Freeman, who has a history of delivering in clutch moments, launched his third deep drive to center field of the late innings, this one finally clearing the fence for his second World Series walk-off homer in as many years. The Canadian-born first baseman’s heroics sent the exhausted crowd home in jubilation, securing the Dodgers‘ 6-5 victory.
For the Blue Jays, the loss was described as a “Mike Tyson uppercut” by analyst Alex Rodriguez, leaving fans to wonder how the team can recover from such a devastating defeat. While manager John Schneider praised his team’s fight, the emotional and physical toll of the marathon game, coupled with a 2-1 series deficit, presents a daunting challenge. Game 4 will feature a compelling pitching matchup between Shane Bieber and Shohei Ohtani, with both teams facing significant fatigue.
The Blue Jays might have lost this battle, but as Schneider emphasized, “The Dodgers didn’t win the World Series today. They won a game. These guys are going to be ready to go tomorrow.” The resilient nature of the Blue Jays, who have proven themselves to be “not most teams,” will be tested as they aim to bounce back against the dual threat of Ohtani on the mound.
