LA Dodgers win World Series after epic Game 7 tussle with Toronto Blue Jays
Will Smith's home run in 11th inning gives Dodgers 5-4 win, LA become first team to go back-to-back in 25 years
The Los Angeles Dodgers conjured a stunning come-from-behind victory to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 and clinch back-to-back World Series on Saturday in one of the greatest championship deciders in history.
A night of jaw-dropping drama at Toronto’s Rogers Centre saw the reigning champions stave off defeat with a game-tying home run from Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning before Will Smith’s home run in the 11th inning put the Dodgers into the lead.
Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto – who had started Friday’s Game 6 victory – then closed out the win by getting the final three outs to crown a heroic personal contribution to the series win and leave the Blue Jays heartbroken.
“We just never gave up,” Smith said. “Kept fighting, you know, pitching our arses off, taking great at-bats, finally punched through there.
“We know we needed to get a run there. To be able to come in clutch, that was huge. You know, you dream of those moments – extra innings, put your team ahead. I’ll remember that forever.”
Yamamoto – who had thrown a complete game last week in a game two win before helping the team level the series in Friday’s pulsating game six win in Toronto – was named World Series MVP.