Dodgers win 2nd straight World Series in Game 7 stunner vs. Jays

The reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in the 11th inning of Saturday's Game 7 to win the 2025 World Series.

The Dodgers became the first team to win back-to-back titles since the New York Yankees won three straight championships from 1998-2000.

Will Smith hit the game-winning home run off right-hander Shane Bieber in the 11th with two outs. The Game 4 starter was summoned in relief and was working his first and only inning. The catcher's blast was the first extra-innings homer in a winner-take-all game in World Series history, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

"You dream of those moments, you know, extra innings, put your team ahead - I'll remember that forever," Smith said, according to Ronald Blum of The Associated Press.

The Dodgers also are the fifth club in MLB history to win Game 7 of a Fall Classic after erasing a three-run deficit, per Sportsnet Stats.

Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto got the win after entering Game 7 in relief the day after his Game 6 start. The 27-year-old ace threw 34 pitches after a 96-pitch effort Friday to record his third victory of the series en route to being named World Series MVP.

Miguel Rojas hit a game-tying solo homer in the ninth inning off Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman. Max Muncy also went deep for Los Angeles.

"Oh my gosh, I think that game had every single thing you could possibly have," Freddie Freeman told Ken Rosenthal of MLB on FOX postgame. "Just an incredible game, an incredible series."

Hoffman allowed 14 dingers in the ninth inning this season.

"I cost everyone in here a World Series ring," the 32-year-old reliever said, according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun. "It feels pretty shitty."

Meanwhile, Toronto tied the 1924 New York Giants for most runners left on base in Game 7 of a World Series with 14. The Jays outscored the Dodgers 34-26 in the series, per Sportsnet Stats.

The Blue Jays had a chance to walk off the game in the bottom of the ninth. Daulton Varsho grounded into a force at home with the bases loaded. Ernie Clement followed that up with a flyout to Andy Pages, who had just entered the game defensively in center field.

"I've been crying for an hour," Clement said, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "I thought I was done with the tears. I just love these guys so much. It was so fun coming to work every day."

The game also marked the ending of Clayton Kershaw's prolific 18-year career. The 37-year-old three-time NL Cy Young winner and 2014 NL MVP goes out with his third World Series ring.

"Thankfully, relationships keep going," Kershaw said, according to SportsNet LA. "I'll get to keep in touch with these guys and I'll be around, but you don't ever get to do something like this again."

Bo Bichette hit a three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in the third inning. Ohtani gave up three earned runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts pitching on three days' rest.

Three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Fame Max Scherzer surrendered one earned run on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts in his start for the Blue Jays.

"I can't see how that's the last pitch I've ever thrown," The 41-year-old said, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The Dodgers and Blue Jays were also involved in a bench-clearing fracas after Justin Wrobleski hit Andrés Giménez in the fourth inning.