Dodgers Outlast Blue Jays in Epic 18-Inning Thriller World Series/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Toronto Blue Jays 6–5 in an 18-inning marathon, mirroring their legendary 2018 World Series win. Shohei Ohtani dazzled with a historic offensive night, while Freddie Freeman delivered the walk-off blast. The Dodgers now lead the series 2–1 after a night filled with drama, records, and resilience.
Dodgers World Series Thriller Quick Looks
- Game 3 of the World Series lasted 18 innings, tying the longest in Series history.
- Freddie Freeman hit the game-winning homer in the bottom of the 18th.
- Shohei Ohtani made history with four extra-base hits and tied a record by reaching base nine times.
- Clayton Kershaw, in his first career extra-innings relief appearance, helped keep the bullpen afloat.
- Dodgers used 10 pitchers, a World Series record.
- Will Klein earned the win with 4 shutout innings and 72 pitches, doubling career highs.
- Addison Barger, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Tommy Edman delivered defensive highlights.
- The game lasted 6 hours, 39 minutes with 609 total pitches and 44 players used.
- Miguel Rojas was prepared to pitch if the game continued, eyeing history as a position player.
- Dodgers now lead the best-of-seven series 2–1.
Deep Look
Dodgers Win Another 18-Inning World Series Classic, Take 2–1 Series Lead
LOS ANGELES — History repeated itself at Dodger Stadium as the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious in yet another 18-inning World Series classic, edging the Toronto Blue Jays 6–5 in a grueling, drama-packed Game 3 that spanned 6 hours and 39 minutes, tying the longest game in World Series history.
Freddie Freeman, who had earlier been thrown out at the plate, redeemed himself with a towering walk-off home run against Brendon Little in the bottom of the 18th inning. The blast gave Los Angeles a 2–1 lead in the best-of-seven series and echoed their 2018 extra-inning win over Boston—also in Game 3, and also over 18 innings.
“I looked up and didn’t even see the innings I pitched anymore,” said rookie reliever Justin Wrobleski, who worked the sixth and seventh innings. “That’s probably the craziest thing I’ve been part of.”
Ohtani Delivers Historic Performance
Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ two-way superstar, had a game for the ages. At the plate, he became the first player since 1906 to record four extra-base hits in a World Series game. His stat line included two home runs, two doubles, and five walks—four of which were intentional, three with no runners on base.
Ohtani reached base nine times, tying a record, and stayed in the game despite a leg cramp that struck during a caught stealing attempt in the ninth inning.
“He’s pitching tomorrow, and here he is playing two games in one,” said Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw. “It’s unbelievable.”
609 Pitches, 44 Players, Endless Heart
In total, 44 players appeared in the game, including 19 pitchers who combined to throw 609 pitches. Both teams endured a 10-inning scoreless stretch, with no runs scored from the 8th through the 17th innings. The Dodgers were 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 18 runners on base. Toronto went 2-for-12 and stranded 19.
“It takes everybody to win a World Series,” said Max Muncy, whose 2018 walk-off blast gave the Dodgers their only win in that Series.
Defensive plays were game-changing. Addison Barger gunned down Freeman at home with a 98.5 mph throw, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. threw out a runner at third, and Tommy Edman made a pivotal outfield assist on Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Hernández added a relay throw to get Davis Schneider at the plate.
“Crazy, crazy, crazy game,” said Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer, who watched it all unfold from the dugout.
Kershaw Steps In, Bullpen Stretched Thin
With the bullpen taxed, 37-year-old Clayton Kershaw made his first extra-inning relief appearance at any level. He entered with the bases loaded in the 12th inning and got out of it with a groundout, delivering his fastest pitch since July 2024.
“I throw gas now,” Kershaw joked. He and other relievers wore hats marked “51” to honor teammate Alex Vesia, absent due to a family matter.
Rookie Will Klein emerged as an unexpected hero, tossing four shutout innings and throwing 72 pitches, far exceeding his prior career highs.
“I had to dig deep,” Klein said. “There was no one else coming to save me.”
Rojas Nearly Takes the Mound
Position player Miguel Rojas nearly made history himself. Entering as a pinch-hitter in the 13th, he realized a few innings later that he could be the first position player to pitch in a World Series game. With four mop-up appearances under his belt in 2025, he was mentally preparing his 36–69 mph pitch mix.
“I was ready,” Rojas said. “I had one fastball and one breaking ball in me.”
Yamamoto, Conforto, and the Dugout Shuffle
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw 105 pitches in Game 1, volunteered to pitch again and began warming up during the 18th. He was ready to go if Klein faltered.
Wrobleski, meanwhile, went through multiple wardrobe changes trying to “shift the energy” and help his team score. “Three pairs of shoes later, it finally worked,” he laughed.
Kershaw’s children, whose lockers sit next to his in the clubhouse, were nowhere to be seen by the end, though he noted, “At least two of them stayed up.”
What’s Next
Game 4 looms with a short turnaround and a depleted bullpen. Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch, adding even more intrigue to an already unforgettable series.
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