The Dodgers Win Game 7, Powered By Yamamoto’s Dominant Relief In An Unforgettable World Series
Read this article. Share it. Love it. Send the link in every text chain you are in. Then, go and watch this game on TV. Find it… somewhere. Nothing that is written in the following paragraphs will make you believe what was seen on the field at the Rogers Centre in Game 7 of the epic and classic World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the World Champions after their 5-4 win in 11 innings.
How did the Dodgers win back-to-back World Championships Saturday night? Buckle your seat belt. Let’s walk through this classic.
Catcher Will Smith Hits Game-Winning Home Run – But Wait – There is More
When Dodgers Will Smith knocked a line drive into the left field seats in the 11th inning, it was almost anticlimactic. The hit was clutch, yes, but prior to the hit, and after the hit, the following happened:
- With one out in the 9th inning, and Shohei Ohtani on the on-deck circle, Miguel Rojas had a full count. Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman had to pitch to Rojas.
- He could not walk him. And well, he did pitch to him, and Rojas was clutch.
- He hit the home run of his life to tie the score 4-4.
- In the bottom of the ninth, Toronto loaded the bases with one out. Then Rojas makes a game saving throw to home plate for the force out to get two outs.
- With everything on the line, the ball off the bat of Ernie Clement seemed to be over the head of Kiki Hernandez.
- But first, let’s reset the scene…if the ball drops, the Blue Jays are the World Champs. But if Andy Pages literally runs over his teammate Hernandez and catches the ball, we go to extra innings.
- Well, Pages literally ran over Hernandez. The catch by Pages will be on highlight reels for years to come. A headache by Hernandez will be gone by the time he chugs his third bottle of champagne.
- With everything on the line, the ball off the bat of Ernie Clement seemed to be over the head of Kiki Hernandez.
- In the 11th inning, after Smith’s home run, Toronto had runners on first and third with one out. A double play ended the game.
- It was the pitching by Yoshinobu Yamamoto that saved and won the game. He gave up one hit in 2.2 of relief pitching. This was after his win just yesterday.
A Recap of the First Nine Innings
Bottom 3rd: Bichette HR Chases Ohtani … From the Pitchers Mound
When Shohei Ohtani gave up a three-run home run to Bo Bichette, it gave the Toronto Blue Jays a 3-0 lead. It also chased Ohtani from the mound. Not from the game, but from the mound.
Since Ohtani is so unusual a rule was created because of him. The “Ohtani Rule” implemented in 2022, allows a starting pitcher who also serves as the designated hitter to remain in the lineup after being removed from the mound.
Although the scenario did not come into play in Game 7, Ohtani could have served as starting pitcher, then moved to the designated hitter, which is the same spot in the batting order. He then could have come in as a reliever, or closer. To make it even more fun, after his relief appearance, he could have gone to the outfield to retain his spot in the batting order.
Instead, he gave up the mound to Justin Wrobleski…who held the Blue Jays from committing any more damage. As the Designated Hitter, he was 2 for 5.
Top 4th: Dodgers Close Gap, 3-1, On Hernández Sacrifice Fly
Teoscar Hernández hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Smith to score for the Dodgers.
Top 6th: 3-2 Dodgers Just One Run Down after Edman Sacrifice Fly
Tommy Edman drives home Mookie Betts to make it a 1-run game.
Bottom 6th: Giménez Double Gives Blue Jays 4-2 Lead
Andrés Giménez doubled to center field, driving in Ernie Clement who was on second base after a steal.
Top 8th: Muncy Home Run Keeps the Suspense at a Peak – Lead Reduced to 4-3
Max Muncy hit a solo home run off Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series, which cut the Blue Jays’ lead to one run. The home run was a 373-foot shot to right field and happened after Mookie Betts grounded out to lead off the inning
Top of the 9th Inning: Rojas Homers with Ohtani On Deck – Tied 4-4
Yes, you can see more details above. But this home run was so improbable, we need to mention it again. Rojas had seven home runs all year. He batted ninth. Improbable as you can possibly imagine.
Almost as improbable as a game-saving catch by knocking over a teammate. As improbable as a pitcher shutting down the Blue Jays for almost three innings after pitching six innings the day before.
This could go on… but stop…try to find the re-run of this game. Watch it. It was that good.
