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The championship series is headed to a final Game 7 after the Dodgers kept alive their title defense hopes intact Friday night with a three to one win over the Blue Jays in Game 6.

The reigning title holders halted Toronto’s ninth-inning rally with a dramatic final twin killing, stunning a Rogers Centre crowd that had arrived prepared to celebrate the city’s championship in over three decades.

Sixth Game Summary

Los Angeles produced all of their offense in the third frame. With two outs, Ohtani was purposely passed before Smith hit a two-bagger to left field to score Edman. Freddie Freeman drew a walk to fill the bases, and Mookie Betts came through with a two-RBI hit to left, giving the Dodgers a three-run lead.

Betts’ hit broke a playoff dry spell and rekindled the defending champions’ aspirations of becoming the initial back-to-back World Series winners since the New York Yankees won three straight from 1998 through 2000.

Mound Duel

Gausman had been dominant to that stage, striking out half a dozen of the first seven Dodgers he faced. He fanned eight through three frames, matching a Fall Classic record, but the third-inning barrage proved costly. The Blue Jays' star finished with 8 Ks over six frames, yielding three runs on three safeties and two free passes.

Yamamoto, in contrast, was solid again under stress. The righty outdueled his counterpart for the second occasion in a seven days, giving up a single run on five base hits over six innings with six Ks. He improved to four wins and one loss this playoffs with a 1.56 ERA.

The only run against him resulted from Springer’s two-out single in the third, driving in Barger, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Springer’s hit provided a momentary lift in his return to the starting nine after missing two games with an side strain.

Bullpen Effort

After that, the Los Angeles relievers carried the load. First-year pitcher Justin Wrobleski escaped a jam in the seventh inning, and fellow rookie Sasaki worked into the ninth inning before plunking Alejandro Kirk to start the frame. Addison Barger then hit a double that got stuck under the left-center-field fence, forcing base runners to hold at second and third base.

Glasnow, Los Angeles’ Game 3 starting pitcher, came on in a relief role and induced a pop fly before Andrés Giménez lined to left field. Hernández made the catch and threw to second base to double off Barger, clinching the win and giving the pitcher his first-ever successful save.

Looking Ahead: Seventh Game

The series now boils down to one game. Max Scherzer will take the mound for the Blue Jays, becoming the sole active hurler to pitch in more than one World Series Game 7s after accomplishing that in 2019 with the Nationals. The veteran inked a one-year deal to chase one more title and has been a vocal leader throughout this postseason.

The Dodgers, aiming to be baseball’s initial repeat champions in almost 25 years, are projected to rely on Shohei Ohtani for a brief appearance.