Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven World Series, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in an epic game lasting more than six-and-a-half hours.
This clash was the joint longest postseason game in Major League Baseball history by innings, with no runs scored between the seventh and 18th innings.
Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani also shined with two home runs, but the night belonged to Freeman, who was named the Most Valuable Player as the Dodgers triumphed in last year's World Series.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who earlier expressed disappointment over travel delays, celebrated his team's victory in the first of three home games at Dodger Stadium.
MLB's Longest Postseason Games (All 18 Innings)
- 2005 NL Division Series - Houston Astros 7-6 Atlanta Braves
- 2014 NL Division Series - Washington Nationals 1-2 San Francisco Giants
- 2018 World Series - LA Dodgers 3-2 Boston Red Sox
- 2022 AL Division Series - Seattle Mariners 0-1 Houston Astros
- 2025: World Series - LA Dodgers 6-5 Toronto Blue Jays
How the Epic Game Unfolded
Teoscar Hernandez kicked off the scoring for the Dodgers with a home run in the second inning, followed by Ohtani doubling the lead in the third. The Blue Jays rallied in the fourth inning thanks to Alejandro Kirk’s three-run homer, but the Dodgers leveled the game soon after.
As the game progressed past the standard nine innings, both teams had multiple opportunities to score, but strong defensive plays and strategic moves defined the matchup. Freeman’s dramatic hit finally brought the game to a close in the 18th inning.
The World Series continues with Game 4 on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, where Ohtani is expected to start for the Dodgers.
