In sports, it is often more important how you finish the game than how you start it, and this was evident in Game 6 of the World Series, which ended 3-1 for the Dodgers. The Los Angeles team, on the verge of elimination, rescued a championship-flavored victory that has forced a seventh and decisive game at Rogers Centre.
The night was an emotional rollercoaster as Yoshinobu Yamamoto shone from the mound, dominating for six innings in which he allowed only one run. His dominance was reminiscent of classic pitchers, with a splitter that returned to the forefront of modern baseball and meanwhile, Kevin Gausman opened solidly for the Blue Jays, but his effectiveness crumbled after the first innings.
With timely hitting from Will Smith, Tommy Edman and Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers took an early lead. For Toronto, George Springer and Addison Barger tried to respond, but the Angels’ defense and relief pitching withstood the onslaught.
The play that sparked controversy in the World Series
In the ninth inning, when the Blue Jays were threatening to rally, the most talked-about action of the night came. With Miles Straw running as a pinch runner and Addison Barger at bat, a deep drive ended up embedded in the bottom of the outfield wall. Outfielder Justin Dean stopped his motion, signaling that the ball was “stuck,” while the umpires reviewed the play.
What is a lodged ball in baseball?
According to the “Lodged Ball” rule, when a ball is trapped without the possibility of natural play, a ground-rule double is automatically decreed, allowing runners to advance only two bases.
However, the debate broke out on social media where fans were divided with messages such as:
“What happened was not a lodged ball, the ball was not trapped,” or messages alluding to the Los Angeles team’s good fortune: “The Dodgers were lucky,” commented another. Many others commented that the umpire’s actions were correct according to the rules, but the controversy continues to the point of becoming one of the most talked about topics of the postseason.
Dodgers vs Blue Jays, a movie-worthy ending
The end of the game was heart-stopping, Tyler Glasnow came on in relief with the bases loaded, facing the pressure of thousands of Canadian fans. A double play masterfully executed by Kike Hernandez stopped Toronto’s offense and sealed the victory for Los Angeles.
With this victory, the Dodgers forced Game 7 on Saturday, November 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET, a highly anticipated game that will once and for all determine the World Series champion.
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