After assembling a team with superstars, including several future Hall of Famers, the Dodgers were always the favorites to win the World Series for the second year in a row. But to do so, they truly had to show greatness and, above all, a lot of heart to overcome a fiercely determined Toronto Blue Jays team. Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched 2.2 innings (34 pitches) in relief a day after throwing 96 pitches, and the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to win the World Series two years in a row since 2000 with a 5-4, 11-inning victory Saturday night in Toronto. It is the team's ninth title. It was one of the most dramatic Game 7s of all time, and Yamamoto was awarded MVP after winning his third game of the series by inducing Mexican pitcher Alejandro Kirk to hit into a double play with two runners on base in the 11th inning. The hit to the shortstop was with a broken bat, and the Tijuana native couldn't beat Mookie Betts' throw to Freddie Freeman. Will Smith delivered the game-winning hit, a home run in the eleventh inning against Shane Bieber, giving the team its first lead of the game. But the real drama began in the ninth inning. With one out in the ninth and Toronto fans on the cusp of championship glory, Miguel Rojas, considered the Dodgers' weakest hitter, hit a full-count home run off closer Jeff Hoffman to tie the game 4-4. The man who had saved the team so many times with his excellent glove delivered the hit of his life, cementing his place as a Dodger. Furthermore, in the bottom of the tenth inning, Rojas was part of a miraculous Dodgers escape. With the bases loaded for the Blue Jays, Daulton Varsho hit a hard ground ball to second base where Rojas fielded it and threw out the runner at home. Rojas had already been one of the heroes with his defense in the Game 6 victory.

The next batter,Ernie Clement - who set a new record with 30 hits in this postseason - hit a deep ball down the left-field alley. Andy Pages, who had just entered the game in place of Tommy Edman in center field, came charging past Kike Hernandez, who appeared beaten, and caught the ball to prevent Toronto from clinching the title.

Shohei Ohtani lasted 2.1 innings as a starting pitcher

Ohtani, with three consecutive starts of at least 6 innings in these playoffs, led off the game with a single and minutes later removed his protective gear and helmet to walk to the mound, where he was greeted by a single from George Springer.

But the Japanese pitcher recovered brilliantly, striking out Nathan Lukes with a slow pitch and then the slugger Guerrero Jr. with a 100 mph fastball, a play in which Springer was caught running to second base for the Dodgers' second consecutive double play, counting the previous night.

The Blue Jays loaded the bases in the second against Ohtani, but the right-hander struck out Andres Gimenez with his 43rd pitch to escape the serious threat. And then in the third inning, the home team put runners on base again. Springer led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a wild pitch. The Dodgers, seeing their struggles to score runs, intentionally walked Guerrero Jr. But the strategy was ruined by Bichette, who took advantage of a slider hanging over the middle of the plate and launched the ball 442 feet over the center field fence to put his team ahead 3-0 and end Ohtani's outing as pitcher. Dodgers respond, but Toronto's defense shines. The Dodgers, who had only one good inning offensively in Game 6 (3 of their 4 hits), responded in the top of the fourth inning. A double by Will Smith, a single by Freddie Freeman, and a walk to Max Muncy with one out loaded the bases. The quiet Teoscar Hernandez lined a ball to center that outfielder Daulton Varsho caught in a truly spectacular play. Smith scored on a tag-up, but if the ball had bounced, the score could have been tied. The threat ended with another great catch, this time by first baseman Guerrero Jr. on Edman's line drive, diving like a cat along the foul line despite his size. The Blue Jays' catches prevented a much bigger attack from the Dodgers, who hit really hard against Scherzer, who was replaced after 4.1 innings (4 hits, 1 run). The oldest starter to begin a decisive World Series game (41 years, 97 days) did a good job.

Dodgers and Blue Jays trade runs in the sixth

The Dodgers closed the gap to 3-2 in the sixth against the Blue Jays' bullpen. Mookie Betts, who led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a Max Muncy hit and a groundout, scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Tommy Edman against Chris Bassitt, arguably Toronto's best reliever in these playoffs.

In the bottom of the inning, Toronto also scored a run to regain the lead. Venezuelan Andres Gimenez, who a few innings earlier had caused the benches to clear by protesting being hit by a pitch from Justin Wrobleski, doubled down the right-field line to drive in Ernie Clement with the score at 4-2. He had started the inning with a hit off Tyler Glasnow, the third pitcher for Los Angeles.

The Blue Jays began to taste victory when, in the seventh inning, with Trey Yasavage on the mound, they turned a double play with another brilliant play by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a groundout by Freddie Freeman when Ohtani was running from first base with one out.

Max Muncy's home run brings the Dodgers closer

Yesavage was rocked in the eighth inning by Max Muncy, who, after one out, sent the ball to the second deck beyond right field to make the game 4-3. The rookie pitcher got another out and was then relieved by his manager, who brought in closer Jeff Hoffman, Toronto's fifth pitcher, who retired the side in the inning. But then came the crazy ninth inning, yet another in this great World Series, and the extra innings with an outcome that goes straight into the book of great feats.who, after one out, sent the ball to the second deck beyond right field to make the game 4-3. The rookie pitcher got another out and was then relieved by his manager, who brought in closer Jeff Hoffman, Toronto's fifth pitcher, who retired the side in the inning. But then came the crazy ninth inning, yet another in this great World Series, and the extra innings with an outcome that goes straight into the book of great feats.who, after one out, sent the ball to the second deck beyond right field to make the game 4-3. The rookie pitcher got another out and was then relieved by his manager, who brought in closer Jeff Hoffman, Toronto's fifth pitcher, who retired the side in the inning. But then came the crazy ninth inning, yet another in this great World Series, and the extra innings with an outcome that goes straight into the book of great feats.