UPDATE: The Toronto Blue Jays crushed the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in a stunning Game 1 of the World Series on October 27, 2023. This monumental victory featured a historic nine-run sixth inning, showcasing the power of the Blue Jays and sending shockwaves through the baseball world.
In a dramatic turn, Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, while Alejandro Kirk added a two-run homer as Toronto turned a 2-0 deficit into a commanding lead. The sixth inning saw a staggering 12 batters come to the plate, marking the third-highest run total scored in a single inning in World Series history.
Barger’s grand slam, a spectacular 413-foot drive to right-center, capped off the explosive inning and effectively sealed the game for Toronto. “It was just a blackout moment. It’s just crazy,” Barger told Fox Sports after the game, highlighting the emotional weight of his achievement.
The Blue Jays’ offensive surge was ignited by Daulton Varsho, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner. This victory is especially poignant as the Fall Classic returns to Toronto for the first time since 1993, when Joe Carter famously hit a walk-off home run to clinch the championship.
Despite the loss, the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani made headlines by hitting his first World Series homer in the seventh inning, a two-run shot that came during a challenging game for Los Angeles. Frustrated fans, still smarting from Ohtani’s decision to sign a $700 million contract with the Dodgers, chanted “We don’t need you!” when he stepped to the plate in the ninth.
Los Angeles started strong with an early 2-0 lead, courtesy of Enrique Hernández and Will Smith driving in runs. However, Toronto’s Trey Yesavage held his ground against the Dodgers, becoming the second-youngest pitcher to start a World Series opener at just 22 years and 88 days old.
As the game unfolded, the Blue Jays delivered a powerful statement, firing up their home crowd at Rogers Centre. With a total of 14 hits and significant contributions from players like Bo Bichette, Toronto showcased their depth and determination.
Looking ahead, Game 2 is set for Saturday night, where the Blue Jays will face Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Toronto’s Kevin Gausman. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the winner of Game 1 has triumphed in six of the last seven World Series.
“We just got to keep rolling,” said Ernie Clement about their momentum. With this historic victory, the Blue Jays not only made headlines but also positioned themselves as formidable contenders in this year’s championship race. Stay tuned for further updates as this thrilling series continues.
