<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers have etched their names into baseball history, becoming the first franchise in a quarter-century to capture back-to-back World Series titles following a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 at Rogers Centre on Saturday.</p> <p><strong>Will Smith</strong> delivered the decisive blow with a solo home run in the top of the 11th inning, breaking a 4-4 deadlock and sending the Dodgers faithful into raptures. When<strong> Alejandro Kirk</strong> grounded into a double play with the potential tying run stationed at third base, the celebration was on for manager<strong> Dave Roberts' </strong>side.</p> <p>This marks the franchise's ninth World Series championship and their third in six seasons under Roberts' leadership. The last team to achieve consecutive Fall Classic victories was the New York Yankees, who secured three straight titles from 1998 to 2000.</p> <h2>Blue Jays Strike First, Dodgers Battle Back</h2> <p>Toronto looked poised to force a winner-takes-all scenario after<strong> Bo Bichette</strong> launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning, giving the Blue Jays an early 3-0 advantage. <strong>George Springer </strong>had ignited the rally with a base hit before advancing to third, with <strong>Vladimir Guerrero Jr</strong> receiving an intentional walk before Bichette's crucial blast over centre field.</p> <p>The home run spelled the end of <strong>Shohei Ohtani's</strong> appearance on the mound for Los Angeles. However, the Japanese superstar remained in the contest as designated hitter under the 2022 'Ohtani rule' modification.</p> <p>Los Angeles refused to go quietly, immediately responding in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded,<strong> Teoscar Hernandez</strong> drove in Smith with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1, though<strong> Guerrero Jr's</strong> spectacular diving catch at first base prevented further scoring.</p> <p>The game's intensity escalated when Dodgers reliever<strong> Justin Wrobleski</strong> hit <strong>Andres Gimenez</strong> with an inside pitch, causing both benches to empty as players confronted each other on the field. Both managers received warnings against any retaliatory actions.</p> <h2>Late Drama Sends Game Into Extra Innings</h2> <p>Toronto's veteran starter<strong> Max Scherzer</strong> departed in the fifth inning with his team still holding a 3-1 lead. The Dodgers continued to chip away at the deficit when <strong>Tommy Edman</strong> delivered a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, scoring <strong>Mookie Betts</strong> to bring the score to 3-2.</p> <p>The Blue Jays extended their advantage in the seventh as<strong> Ernie Clement</strong> stole a base and was driven home by Gimenez's double to right field, making it 4-2.</p> <p>Both managers utilized their bullpens aggressively throughout the later innings, even calling upon starting pitchers from earlier in the series. <strong>Trey Yesavage</strong>, who had started Games 1 and 5 for Toronto, surrendered a solo home run to <strong>Max Muncy</strong> in the eighth inning.</p> <p>With the Dodgers down to their final two outs in the ninth, <strong>Miguel Rojas</strong> came through with a clutch solo shot off<strong> Jeff Hoffman</strong> to level proceedings at 4-4 and force extra innings.</p> <p>Both teams loaded the bases in the ninth and 10th innings respectively but failed to capitalize on their opportunities, setting the stage for Smith's heroics in the 11th.</p> <h2>Yamamoto Named Series MVP</h2> <p>This was only the sixth occasion in history that a World Series Game 7 has extended beyond nine innings. <strong>Yoshinobu Yamamoto</strong>, who had secured victories in Games 2 and 6 as a starter, earned the win in relief and was awarded the series' Most Valuable Player honour.</p> <p>The Blue Jays came agonizingly close to extending the game to a 12th inning, but Yamamoto closed the door to secure the championship for the National League champions.</p> <p><strong>Series Results:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Game 1: Blue Jays 11-4 Dodgers</li> <li>Game 2: Blue Jays 1-5 Dodgers</li> <li>Game 3: Dodgers 6-5 Blue Jays</li> <li>Game 4: Dodgers 2-6 Blue Jays</li> <li>Game 5: Dodgers 1-6 Blue Jays</li> <li>Game 6: Blue Jays 1-3 Dodgers</li> <li>Game 7: Blue Jays 4-5 Dodgers (11 innings)</li> </ul>