Freeman Ends 18-Inning Epic as Ohtani Makes History and Klein Becomes an Unsung Hero
The Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18-inning epic Monday night all time show down, winning 6-5 in Game 3 of the World Series to grab a 2-1 series lead and maybe a chance to close it out at home for the first time since 1963.
Freddie Freeman ended the nearly seven hour long marathon with a 406-foot blast to straightaway center off Brendon Little, matching the longest game by innings in World Series history (18, same as the 2018 Dodgers-Red Sox classic). It was Freeman’s second walk-off homer in as many years, the first player ever with two in World Series history, after his grand-slam finish in last year’s Game 1 against the Yankees.
Shohei Ohtani stole the spotlight again with another record-stacking night. He crushed two home runs, giving him three multi-homer games this postseason and tied a 119-year-old World Series record with four extra-base hits (two homers, two doubles). He reached base nine times, becoming the first player ever to do so in a postseason game, thanks to five walks (four intentional). Ohtani now sits at eight postseason homers, two shy of Randy Arozarena’s single-postseason record (10 in 2020).
Numbers from a Game for the Ages
18: Innings played, tying the longest in World Series history.
6 hours 39 minutes: Second-longest game ever by time.
2: Walk-off homers for Freeman — most in World Series history.
3: Multi-homer games for Ohtani this postseason — an MLB first.
4: Extra-base hits by Ohtani, tying the 1906 record.
9: Times Ohtani reached base — the most ever in a postseason game.
19: Combined pitchers used — most in any playoff game.
609: Total pitches thrown — 48 more than any other postseason game since 2000.
37: Runners left on base — the most in postseason history (Toronto 19, L.A. 18).
Will Klein, the Dodgers’ last man in the bullpen, earned the win after four scoreless innings on a career-high 72 pitches.
From Freeman’s moonshot to Ohtani’s absurd stat line, Game 3 wasn’t just another Dodgers win — it was a piece of baseball history.
How much will fatigue factor into Game 4? Can the Blue Jays overcome the heartbreaking loss? Comment your thoughts below!