TORONTO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a tight squeeze in the ninth inning. Their 3-1 lead against the Toronto Blue Jays hung by a thread. But then, Kiké Hernández made an unbelievable play, turning a potential game-tying hit into a historic double play. It was a game-ending play never seen before in postseason history.
“I couldn’t see the ball because of the lights,” Hernández said after the game. “I just kept running.” His catch and throw to second base secured the win and pushed the series to a decisive Game 7.
The stakes for Game 7 are high. Max Scherzer will be on the mound for Toronto, while the Dodgers are still deciding between Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow. This November showdown marks the 10th time the World Series has extended into the month.
“Game 7, it’s what we live for,” said Toronto manager John Schneider.
In Game 6, Yoshinobu Yamamoto shined, allowing only one run over six innings. Mookie Betts, slumping earlier in the series, stepped up with a key two-run single. George Springer returned from injury, hitting an RBI single that kept Toronto somewhat in the game.
But in the ninth, things hit a snag for the Dodgers. Roki Sasaki hit Alejandro Kirk, and Addison Barger sent a sharp hit that got stuck in the left-center wall, allowing both runners to score. There was a moment of excitement in the crowd, thinking Toronto had tied it up. But because of the rules, that hit counted as a double, not a home run. This put Barger and Kirk in scoring position.
With tension rising, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called in Glasnow. He stepped in and got out of the jam with only three pitches. Hernández then made a stunning catch and threw to second base in time to double up Barger.
“I was just being too aggressive,” Barger said after the call went against him. “I thought I had a chance to tie the game.”
This game will also go down in history for Hernández’s double play. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was the first time an outfielder recorded a putout or assist to end a World Series game.
Yamamoto is becoming a postseason star, with a 1.56 ERA in five playoff starts. In the third inning, the Dodgers’ offense finally clicked, aided by a strategic batting order change by Roberts. Betts, who had struggled, delivered a key hit that broke the Dodgers’ 0-for-13 slump with the bases loaded.
Game 7 is shaping up to be a classic. Scherzer, now 41, is poised to make his mark again, hoping to join a short list of pitchers to start multiple winner-take-all World Series games. He already holds a notable memory from 2019, helping the Washington Nationals clinch the championship.
This upcoming game isn’t just about records; it’s about pride and legacy. The Dodgers aim for their third title in six seasons, while the Blue Jays fight to snag their first championship since 1992. Both teams are gearing up for an epic showdown that fans won’t forget.
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