Freeman’s leadoff homer in the 18th caps a six-hour, 39-minute marathon; Ohtani rewrites the record book as L.A. takes a 2–1 World Series lead

The Call: Instant October Classic in L.A.

Thunder Bay – Sports — This is October baseball at full volume. Six hours, 39 minutes. Eighteen innings. Bodies cramping, bullpens emptying, hearts pounding. And at 6–5 Dodgers, it finally ended when Freddie Freeman ambushed a full-count sinker to start the bottom of the 18th, sending the faithful into delirium and the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2–1 lead in this best-of-seven.

For fans across Northwestern Ontario who rode every pitch deep into the night, this one had everything: haymakers, counterpunches, and a generational star bending the record book.

So across the city today if people seem a bit weary, it is likely they are tired from watching this six-hour marathon.

The Star: Ohtani, Again and Again… and Again

Shohei Ohtani put on a show for the ages: two homers, two doubles, and five walks—the last four intentional. After his second blast in the seventh, the Blue Jays essentially holstered the bats in his hands, but the damage—and the traffic he created—reshaped the game’s every decision. “He’s a unicorn,” said Freeman. No argument here.

Toronto’s Moments: Kirk’s Cannon Shot, Vladdy & Bo Strike

The Jays were far from passengers. Alejandro Kirk flipped the script in the fourth, timing a Tyler Glasnow curveball and launching a go-ahead three-run homer to center. Andrés Giménez added a sacrifice fly to cap a four-run frame. After L.A. clawed back, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled in the seventh and scored from first when Bo Bichette punched a two-out knock down the line—5–4 Toronto and the dugout roaring.

The Grind: Missed Chances, Empty Tanks

From there, it was a war of attrition. The Jays had looks in the 9th, 10th, 12th, and 18th, but the big swing never landed. Clayton Kershaw cameoed out of the ‘pen to snuff one rally; Will Klein stretched four clean for the Dodgers. Eric Lauer delivered 4.2 shutout for Toronto to keep the rope tight. But with benches bare and the clock crawling toward tomorrow, the margin for error vanished.

Compounding the concern: George Springer exited in the seventh with right-side discomfort after a foul swing—status to be monitored.

The Walk-Off: One Pitch, One Swing, Game Over

Brendon Little, into a second inning of work and near the end of the Jays’ relief options, got to full count against Freeman. The sinker leaked middle, and the All-Star sent it 406 feet into the cool L.A. night. Ballgame. The Dodgers poured out of the dugout; the Jays trudged off, equal parts drained and defiant.

The Series Picture: Page-Turn Speed

The Jays have lived in this space all year—tested, stretched, still standing. Game 4 arrives on the quick turn, with Shane Bieber lined up for Toronto opposite Ohtani on the hill after his monster at-bat tally. Expect more free passes for No. 17, more chess from both dugouts, and a Jays club that, as manager John Schneider put it, “will be ready to go… The Dodgers didn’t win the World Series today. They won a game.”

NetNewsLedger Take: What It Means for Northern Fans

For Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, this was the kind of October drama that knits a fan base together—group chats buzzing at 3 a.m., highlight packs over morning coffee. The Jays’ resilience is still the storyline. Flip one at-bat, and this series is different. They’ll need that edge—and a healthier lineup—tonight.

Boxscore Beats

• Final: Dodgers 6, Blue Jays 5 (18 inn.)

• Series: Dodgers lead 2–1

• Turning Point: Freeman leadoff HR, B18

• Toronto Thunder: Kirk 3-run HR; Vladdy scores from first on Bichette 2-out single

• Dodger Edge: Ohtani on base nine times; bullpen withstands repeated jams

• Concern: Springer exits with right-side issue