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Ohtani’s historic night sets up Freeman’s 18th-inning walk-off

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates with teammates after first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) hit a walk-off home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 18th inning during Game 3 of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

World Series takeaways: Shohei Ohtani’s historic night sets stage for Freddie Freeman’s 18th-inning walk-off

By Taylor Bretl | Last updated Oct 28, 2025 3:17 AM ET

Game 3 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays stretched to 18 innings, tying the record for the longest game in World Series history.

Freddie Freeman emerged as the hero, launching a solo home run to secure a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory for the Dodgers, giving them a 2-1 lead in the series.

Here are the takeaways from Monday's game:

Shohei Ohtani makes history multiple times

Ohtani delivered a masterclass on baseball’s biggest stage, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four extra-base hits — two doubles and two home runs — while drawing five walks, four of them intentional.

He joined Frank Isbell as just the second player in MLB history to record four extra-base hits in a single World Series game. Ohtani also became only the second player, alongside Albert Pujols, to be intentionally walked with the bases empty in a World Series game — and the first ever to receive multiple intentional walks in the Fall Classic.

With his perfect night at the plate, Ohtani became the first player in MLB postseason history to reach base seven times in a single game, ultimately extending that mark to nine. That ties the all-time record for most times reaching base in a game, shared with Stan Hack, Johnny Burnett and Max Carey.

Ohtani also became the first player to record three multi-home run games in a single postseason. His eight home runs this October tie Corey Seager for the most in a single postseason in Dodgers franchise history.

SHOHEI OHTANI'S SECOND HOMER OF THE NIGHT

TIE GAME! #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/eA6h6saLnV
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2025

George Springer removed from game in seventh

In his fourth at-bat of the game, Springer clutched his right side after fouling off a pitch from Dodgers reliever Justin Wrobleski.

Having already battled knee issues throughout the postseason, Springer immediately signaled to the dugout and had to be removed from the game with another injury.

Blue Jays' aggressive baserunning backfires

Toronto’s high-risk approach on the basepaths led to two costly outs in the late innings.

In the ninth, Isiah Kiner-Falefa attempted to go from first to third on a sharp single that deflected off first baseman Freddie Freeman’s glove, but his gamble didn’t pay off — he was thrown out at third by Tommy Edman, halting a potential rally.

Then in the 10th, Davis Schneider advanced from first to third on a double by Nathan Lukes. Looking to score the go-ahead run, Schneider tried to stretch it all the way home but was cut down on a relay from Teoscar Hernandez to Edman, ending the inning and leaving Toronto empty-handed once again.

TEXTBOOK RELAY

THE DODGERS KEEP THE GAME TIED HEADED TO THE BOTTOM HALF! #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/wz4bhVRzbx
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2025

Clayton Kershaw emerges from bullpen to get out of jam

In what is announced to be his final MLB season, Kershaw delivered a vintage moment under pressure. Making just his second appearance of the postseason — and his first since Oct. 8 against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS — the 18-year veteran was called upon in the 12th inning with the bases loaded and two outs.

Facing Lukes, he worked the count full before getting a groundout to end the threat and preserve the lead.

Kershaw reached a velocity of 91.9 mph during the at-bat — his fastest pitch in either the regular season or postseason since July 31, 2024, per Sarah Langs.

CLAYTON KERSHAW STRANDS THE BASES LOADED! #WORLDSERIES pic.twitter.com/lYzONIOAxb
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2025

Freddie Freeman walks it off in the 18th inning

Freeman delivered the decisive blow in the 18th inning, launching a solo home run to center field to cap off Game 3. With the blast, he became the first player in World Series history to record multiple walk-off home runs.