Instant Reaction: Blue Jays drop a close game to force World Series Game 7 at Rogers Center

Any festivities in Toronto will have to be suspended for another day.

Kevin Gausman pitched six three-hit innings for the Blue Jays, adding two walks and allowing just three runs when he fell on hard times in the third inning – the only frame the Dodgers provided any run support. He struck out eight in the start, including the top three batters of Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman to start the game. Double plays by Tommy Edman and Will Smith added to the run support, with walks to Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani also playing a role in the three-run inning.

Gausman posted a 67.6% strikeout rate and generated 20 whiffs on the day, keeping the Dodgers hitters off balance with his split-finger throwing. Outside of the lone inning, the right-hander kept the Jays close against the Dodgers before being waived.

The Blue Jays’ bullpen was also strong, with Louis Varland, Mason Fluharty, Seranthony Dominguez and Chris Bassitt in the game. The group gave up only one hit and two walks in the remaining three innings.

The Dodgers got another solid outing from Yoshinobu Yamamato, who pitched six innings of one-run ball, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out six. He made the Jays hitters look uncomfortably at the plate and generated 13 whiffs of his own before being waived in favor of the bullpen.

His only run against also came in the third inning, with Addison Barger leading off with a double before George Springer brought him home with a single of his own.

The Dodgers manager surprisingly pulled Yamamoto after just 96 pitches, opting to go with left-hander Justin Wrobleski. The move worked as the southpaw was able to escape the frame before turning the ball to Roki Sasaki, who was working the remaining two innings.

For the Blue Jays’ bats, there were a lot of missed opportunities on the basepaths.

A notable moment came when Yamamoto was already out of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, when George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on second and first with only one out, Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho couldn’t advance the runners to give the Jays’ pitching staff some support.

Things also got interesting in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Alejandro Kirk was hit by a pitch, putting a runner on first with no outs. Addison Barger followed, and after a five-pitch at-bat, Barger threw a ball to center field, which got stuck at the bottom of the wall. Outfielder Justin Dean raised his hands to indicate the ball was stuck, and the officials called it a dead ball. It was reviewed, but the call stood and Straw (pinch running) and Barger would be placed on third and second.

This knocked Sasaki out of the game and Roberts turned to starter Tyler Glasnow in an attempt to close out the game. Ernie Clement popped out to first base on the first pitch he saw, putting one on the board. Then Andres Gimenez lined out to left field and Barger strayed too far from second base, allowing Enrique Hernandez to throw the Jays slugger to the bag for the double play.

This ended the game to a chorus of boos and disbelief from the Jays faithful in attendance, as a potential tying situation turned into three quick outs and the game was over.

The Toronto Blue Jays will now turn their attention to tomorrow night, where Game 7 of the World Series will take place at the Rogers Centre.

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