TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays made their long-awaited return to the World Series a triumphant one Friday night by dumping the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1 at Rogers Centre.

Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk hit two-run homers and Addison Barger hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history in Toronto's nine-run sixth inning.

It was the Blue Jays' first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1993. Game 2 will be played Saturday in Toronto.

Alejandro Kirk had three of Toronto's 14 hits. Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run homer for the defending champion Dodgers.

Before the game, Bo Bichette returned to the Toronto roster after a seven-week absence due to a knee injury. He had a hit and a walk in two at-bats.

Former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston — who guided the team to World

See Full Page