The Los Angeles defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the World Series after 18 innings, leading 2-1 in the series.
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Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run in the 18th inning after one of the most exciting games in MLB history.
World Series Game 3 Recap
Things started off well when superstar Shohei Ohtani hit a 113.8 mph double off three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer on the second pitch of the bottom of the first inning. But the initially held him back.
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In the second inning, after a single by Bo Bichette, a 3-1 offer to Dalton Barsho that went outside the strike zone was ruled a strike, and Bichette drifted off the bag. All-Star catcher Will Smith pointed out caution to Tyler Glasnow, who tossed the ball to first to get the first out. Varsho then gave up a walk and Alejandro Kirk’s single put runners on the corners, but they couldn’t score if Bichette was still there. LA got out of the inning and advanced to the bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the second inning, Teoscar Hernandez hit a 169 mph solo shot that landed 412 feet into the ‘ bullpen, giving his team the lead.
In the bottom of the third, Ohtani grabbed Scherzer’s offer again, this time gaining yards for the seventh time in the postseason.
The fourth inning began with a walk by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and an error by Tommy Edman put runners on the corners. With two on and one out late in the inning, Kirk hit his second 394-foot home run of the night to give his team the lead. Glasnow allowed back-to-back singles and extended the lead to 4-2 on Andres Jimenez’s sacrifice fly.
After recording two outs in the fourth inning, Glasnow’s night ended as he was replaced by Anthony Banda to record the final out of the fifth inning. Glasnow had five strikeouts, three walks, and two earned runs before he was pulled.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, after recording an out, Scherzer’s night was over. With Mann at first base and Ohtani at the plate, Mason Fluharty started the night. Ohtani hit an RBI double (his third of the night), cutting the lead to one point.
Freddie Freeman hit a two-out single to the first base side, bringing in Ohtani and tying the score at 4 each. This was his second hit in the World Series and his second RBI of the postseason.
In the 7th inning, things got even more intense for both teams. On the first pitch of the frame, Blue Jays star designated hitter George Springer appeared to be injured while swinging and had to leave the contest. Later in the inning, Bichette hit an RBI single that brought home Guerrero and gave the Blue Jays a 5–4 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, Ohtani wasn’t too happy about Toronto taking the lead. He hit another home run to tie the game.
Southpaw Jack Dryer entered the game in the top of the 8th inning, but allowed two runners and only one out. Aki Sasaki, a genius right-hand man, participated in the pickle to save the day. He produced two ground outs to get out of the inning as the headed toward the bottom of the frame. In the top of the 9th inning, Sasaki returned and LA went down smoothly.
The young relief pitcher produced a flyout, but walked the next batter on a pitch. After Dalton Varsho’s well-hit ball slipped through Freddie Freeman’s glove despite the leather, Tommy Edman sent a pinpoint throw to third baseman Max Muncy, getting two outs in the inning. Sasaki gave up a walk to the next batter, giving him two runs, but he grounded out and went to the bottom of the 9th inning.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Andy Pages popped out on the 10th pitch of his at-bat, and Ohtani was given an intentional walk with no one out. Otani then attempted to steal second base, but was caught stealing. Betts then popped out and the game went into overtime.
Emmett Sheehan appeared in the 10th inning, striking out Ernie Clement and striking out Jimenez. After a single by Ty France and a double by Nathan Rooks, Edman once again showed off his brilliant arm with a perfect throw to Will Smith at home plate, putting pinch runner Davis Schneider out at home plate.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, Freeman stepped to the plate with a chance to go ahead, and this time last year he made history in this situation. But he was out, Will Smith walked, and Max Muncy struck out. Teoscar Hernandez singled and Edman scored two runs, and Edman popped out to advance to the 11th inning.
Sheehan returned in the top of the 11th inning and forced Guerrero into a flyout. He got the second out with his own ground out. Sheehan secured a strikeout for the third out of the inning, leaving Game 3 of the World Series in the bottom of the frame.
Quique Hernandez took the lead in the bottom of the 11th inning, but he struck out on a full count. Pages lined up, and Ohtani intentionally walked Betts to get him to the plate. Betts hit a well-hit single, but Freeman flew out and advanced to the 12th.
Sheehan returned in the 12th inning as future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw was seen warming up in the bullpen. Sheehan walked the first batter, but Freeman made a great play and caught the bunt for one out. A ground ball resulted in two outs, and after an intentional walk, Muncy deftly parried a weak ball to third base, leaving his foot in the bag, but the runner made it in time to load the bases.
Sheehan was ejected from the game because Clayton Kershaw came on with two outs and the bases loaded.
Kershaw grounded out to Tommy Edman on a full count, and Edman made an impressive play by flipping the ball back to Freeman for the final out.
On the kickoff in the bottom of the 12th inning, Smith struck out and Muncy jumped out on a nifty play from Isaiah Kiner-Falefa. Teoscar Hernandez popped out and the game went to the 13th inning.
Edgardo Henriquez took the mound in the 13th inning, and Guerrero grounded out to first base, putting him out. He pitched triple digits in a row and struck out the next batter. Enriquez struck out the next batter, but was immediately hit by a fly ball that ended the inning.
Tommy Edman came to bat in the bottom of the 13th inning and hit the lead off with a double. He was on defense all night and did exactly what was needed of him in that moment. Miguel Rojas pinch hit for a sacrifice bunt, advancing Edman to third base. Alex Cole hit Pages and popped out. Ohtani and Betts both intentionally walked Freeman to the plate, loading the bases. Freeman took off on a cautionary course.
In the 14th inning, Edman was pinch-hit in center field, Cole to left field, and Rojas to second base. Enriquez returned to the mound and forced the leadoff batter to fly out to Edman. The next batter threw the ball to Muncy, who gave a strike to Freeman, who struck out at number two. Enriquez then struck out, ending the inning.
Smith led things off at the bottom of the frame, slamming the ball 383 feet into the warning track. Muncy then tattooed the ball, which was fouled and then walked, giving Teoscar Hernandez one on and one out. Hernandez singled and Edman jumped out to score two on. Miguel Rojas grounded out heading into the 15th inning.
Will Klein threw the ball to the top of the frame and struck out the first batter. After grounding out the second batter, Rojas made a bold attempt, but Guerrero’s infield hit gave him the lead. Klein struck out the last batter of the inning, and Game 3 went to the bottom of the 15th inning.
Cole started the inning with a grounder, and Ohtani again gave up an intentional walk. Betts flew out, and Freeman entered the game again with two outs and one on. Freeman hit a well-fielded ball to force the game into the 16th inning.
On the kickoff in the top of the 16th inning, Rojas hit a nice ground ball to create one out, and the No. 2 batter popped out to Klein. The right-hander struck out the last batter and entered the bottom of the 16th inning with the score tied at 5.
Smith struck out Eric Lauer’s 61st pitch of the night to start in the bottom. Muncy struck out on his 67th pitch of the night. Teoscar Hernandez popped out and the game was pushed to the 17th inning.
When Klein was ejected in the 17th inning, he created a popout and struck out the next batter. Klein hit a come-from-behind hit that put the at the bottom of the frame.
Edman took the lead starting in the bottom of the 17th inning, welcoming Brendon Little, now a pitcher for the Blue Jays. Edman struck out and Rojas grounded out to shortstop. Alex called for a single and Ohtani came to the plate, but was given another walk, albeit unintentionally. Betts popped out and the game went to the 18th.
Klein came back in the 18th inning, securing his first out with a lineout to Freeman. Klein walked the next batter, resulting in a very close double play, but upon closer inspection, the runner was initially safe. Klein held down a check swing on a full count, then gave another batter a walk. Klein advanced the runners on a wild pitch, but struck out the next batter, blitzing the to the bottom of the frame.
Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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