Blue Jays Dominant in Game 1, Crush Dodgers with Nine-Run Sixth Inning

The Toronto Blue Jays delivered a statement performance in their first World Series appearance in 32 years, crushing the Los Angeles Dodgers 11–4 in Game 1 at Rogers Centre. A stunning nine-run sixth inning turned a tense contest into a rout and gave Toronto an early 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

Addison Barger etched his name into history with the first pinch-hit grand slam ever recorded in a World Series. Alejandro Kirk added a two-run homer as the Blue Jays’ lineup erupted against a stunned Dodgers bullpen. The explosive rally flipped a 2–0 deficit into an 11–2 advantage, sending the sellout crowd into frenzy.

The Dodgers had taken an early lead through RBI singles from Enrique Hernández and Will Smith off rookie starter Trey Yesavage. Despite some nerves, the 22-year-old held firm, escaping multiple jams to keep Toronto within reach. Yesavage finished with five strikeouts over four innings, showcasing remarkable composure for his age.

Toronto’s comeback began in the fourth when Kirk smashed a ball off the right-field wall and Daulton Varsho followed with a 423-foot home run to center field. That blast broke Blake Snell’s streak of nearly five months without allowing a homer to a left-handed batter.

In the pivotal sixth inning, Bo Bichette—returning from a knee injury—walked to start the rally. Kirk singled, Varsho was hit by a pitch, and the Blue Jays suddenly had the bases loaded. Ernie Clement’s RBI single and a walk to Nathan Lukes gave Toronto the lead before Andrés Giménez extended it with another RBI hit. Barger then crushed Anthony Banda’s hanging slider 413 feet to center for a grand slam that sealed the game’s fate. Moments later, Kirk added his second home run of the night.

Shohei Ohtani, loudly booed throughout the night for snubbing Toronto’s record $700 million offer, hit a two-run homer in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.

Toronto will look to extend their lead in Game 2, with Kevin Gausman facing Los Angeles ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto at Rogers Centre on Saturday night.