Mason Fluharty jogged into the game on Sunday in Los Angeles with the Toronto Blue Jays holding a 5-4 lead.
The Toronto Blue Jays avoided a series sweep with a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Ernie Clement’s clutch home run in the ninth inning sealed the win for the American League leaders.
Shohei Ohtani opened the game with his 41st homer of the season, giving Dodgers fans an early reason to cheer. But the Blue Jays fought back with power hitting in the final two innings to snatch the game.
Clement Delivers the Game-Winner
Clement stepped up in the ninth inning with the score tied. Facing Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia, he launched the first pitch into the left-field bleachers. The solo shot put Toronto ahead 5-4 and silenced the Los Angeles crowd.
It was Toronto’s third home run in the final two innings, capping off a stunning late rally.
Guerrero and Barger Spark Late Comeback
The Blue Jays’ momentum began in the eighth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. blasted a tying homer off Blake Treinen. Moments later, Addison Barger crushed a go-ahead shot. Both hitters punished belt-high sweepers from the struggling Dodgers reliever.
However, Toronto’s lead didn’t last long. Closer Jeff Hoffman walked Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, forcing in the tying run.
Fluharty’s Nerve-Steel Finish
The drama peaked in the ninth inning. Hoffman returned but lost command, walking three of the first four batters. With one out and the bases loaded, rookie Mason Fluharty was called in for the toughest save chance of his career.
Fluharty delivered under immense pressure. He struck out Ohtani on a full-count breaking ball. Then he induced a game-ending grounder from Mookie Betts, securing his first career save in spectacular style.
Ohtani and Freeman Strike Early for Dodgers
Ohtani wasted no time making an impact. In the first inning, he crushed Eric Lauer’s fourth pitch 400 feet for a solo homer. It was his third home run in four games, tying him with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the National League lead.
Freeman followed Ohtani’s blast with a homer of his own, giving the Dodgers a quick 2-0 advantage. Ohtani finished the game with two hits and drew two intentional walks.
Glasnow Strong Again but Winless Streak Continues
Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow delivered another quality outing. He allowed just two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out eight over six innings.
Despite his impressive 1.82 ERA since returning from the injured list, Glasnow’s winless streak extended to 10 starts. The Dodgers’ bullpen once again failed to protect his work.
Key Stats and Records
- Clement’s homer was his second in three games and proved to be the game-winner.
- Guerrero’s eighth-inning homer was his 24th of the season.
- Ohtani now has 23 career leadoff home runs, including an MLB-leading 11 this season.
- Mason Fluharty became the first Blue Jays rookie to earn a save by retiring both Ohtani and Betts in the same inning.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Dodgers will head to Anaheim for another Freeway Series clash. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (10-7, 2.51 ERA) will take the mound on Monday.
The Blue Jays return home to face the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. José Berríos (8-4, 3.89 ERA) will start for Toronto, looking to build on their confidence-boosting win.
This victory was a testament to Toronto’s resilience. From Guerrero’s game-tying shot to Clement’s decisive blast, the Blue Jays proved they can thrive under pressure. With the postseason race heating up, moments like these could define their season.
